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Sole Proprietor of theWinchester News Depot. 


■^ED ftT THE*^' 
FFICE NEW YORK, 
:OND CLASS 
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[liv.aa IBB9 


A TALE OF LOVE.ROMANCEanoTRRVEI 
INTO THE FAR WEST NEAR CHICAGO, j 


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PUBLISHERS’ NOTE. 


IMPOKTAISTT. 

The publishers of this literary gem from 
the rural districts of Ohio, believe they are 
subservient to the best enjoyment of the 
public in placing this work on the market 
in all its virgin purity, free from the deleteri- 
ous effects of editor’s revisions and elimina- 
tions and full of those trifling errors which 
occur when true genius sends burning 
thoughts white hot from the pen. 

The provincial simplicity and rural flavor 
of this work must appeal to all lovers of 
nature untrammelled by the decrees of cus- 
tom and style. 

The x>^iLlishers desire to express thanks 
publicly to Mr. L. P. Culter, sole proj^rietor 
of the Winchester News Depot, for the care- 
ful and artistic assistance he has given the 
author in cojDying and punctuating the MS. 
To quote Mr. Culter’s own words: 

“ In copying the story I marked every page at the 
extreme top edge “Luck in Disguise,” and No. of 
Chapter, whatever the No. and Chapter was, so you 


11 


publishers’ note. 


would have no trouble at all. You can take and mix 
them all up together and have no trouble seperating 
them, by looking at the top of each page. As fast as 
I got one chapter ready I placed it in a No. 10 en- 
velop and marked the No. of the Chapter on the out- 
side of the envelop. This I did for my own benefit, 
yet I have decided to ship them to you in this condi- 
tion.” 

While the method adopted in constructing 
this novel may not be of a character adapt- 
ing it for use as a text-book on rhetoric, 
nevertheless writers of fiction and, in fact, 
all literary people, will find in it much to 
chain the attention and many new forms of 
expression never before attempted by other 
gifted authors. 

It will be noticed that the clearness of 
thought is often due to the almost marvel- 
lous punctuation of Mr. Culter. 

This note has been approved by Mr. Cul- 
ter, and will doubtless add much to the 
reader’s enjoyment, conveying, as it does, a 
hint at the ingenuousness of the never-before- 
known, but now-to-be-great author and punc- 
tuator. 


The Publishers. 


TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL 
COME, GREETING: 

Know ye that 

Wm. J. Yexter, of Adams Co., Ohio,, and L. P. 
CuLTER, sole proprietor of the “Winchester News De- 
pot,” for and in consideration of the liquidation of cer- 
tain indebtedness, and tlie receipt of certain sums of 
money from the John W. Lovell Company, do hereby 
transfer, convey and give over to the John W. Lovell 
Company all rights and titles in the novel known as 
“ Luck in Disguise,” written by said Wm. J. Yexter of 
Adams Co., Ohio, and revised, punctuated and wrapped 
in No. 10 envelopes by the said L. P. Culter, proprietor 
of said News Depot, in said town of Winchester, in the 
before mentioned State of Ohio, and it is furthermore 
agreed between Wm. J,. Yexter, L, P. Culter and the 
John W. Lovell Company, that no claims shall hereafter 
be made for further reimbursement of whatsoever kind 
imagineable. To which agreenien we affix our liands 
and seals and signatures and all that sort of thing. 

November 4th, 1889. 

Author's name. 





Name of witness. 




.32IU02ia HI 


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LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


INTRODUCTORY. 

In launcliing upon the literary tide, this, 
the first volume of the Yexter Series, it seems 
proper to say a few words by way of an in- 
troductory. Some time has elapsed since the 
writer first began to receive solicitations 
from numerous persons of fine literary taste, 
to come before the public in the character of 
an Author but, unavoidable impediments has 
delayed volume first much to the displeasure 
of both writer and those interested. In the 
preparation of this story. Luck in Disguise, 
it has been the object to present something 
of interest and profit alike to old and young, 
but more especially to the latter class. AVith 


6 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


this end in view, no little time and labor 
have been expended, and we have jHit forth 
an effort to freight each chapter with some 
good, moral lesson and to excite the emotions 
of the reader in such a way that its i^eriisal 
may prove an actual pleasure and be contin- 
ued from page to page. It is for a critical 
public to decide whether or not the labor ex- 
pended upon our first volume has been such 
as to render it a success. 

It is to be hoped each reader will find 
among the characters presented, some one 
worthy of imitation. 

In the character of Mrs. John Means we 
find some of the noblest attributes of human- 
ity, including the Christian graces of faith, 
hope and charity, ^^^either selfishness, pride 
nor envy find a lodgment in her nature. She 
is the embodiment of purity, and is always 
doing something to show her love, which is 
for the good of those around her. In Uncle 
Henry Means we have a like character ex- 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


7 


cept that what he may lack in gracefulness 
of execution, he makes up in the ruggedness 
of his nature greater power of endurance. It 
is not a congenial tact with the masculine to 
exhibit such an external tenderness toward 
those in distress as that of the feminine, yet 
uncle Henry had his full share. He is a 
noble and pure specimen of humanity. 

Young Man ! you have a natural and famil- 
iar example before you, in the person of 
young Henry Means, who, although in reality 
being a moral, sober and innnocent person, 
is charged with being guilty of certain of- 
fenses simply because of his associations. 
Unlike many others who have been compelled 
to suffer to satisfy the demands of the law, 
by reason of their inability to establish their 
innocense. Henry is successful in vindicat- 
ing himself on every occasion yet, with much 
difficulty. We would admonish you, young 
Man, if you have bad associates to cut loose 
from them as they are dangerous. In trac- 


8 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


ing the life and character of this young man 
it will be seen that he is the golden thread of 
the story. In the checkered career of this 
young man, wherein his friends were repet- 
edly shocked by reason of the accusations 
brought against him, the reader is shown that, 
although charges may be proven false, the 
very fact of their having been any semblance 
of a cause for bringing them will, in itself 
leave a stain, which time, the great leveler of 
artificial distinctions in society and the anti- 
dote for the wrong the detractor will find it 
difficult to efface. The old adage ‘‘ Evil com- 
munications corrupt good manners,” is abso- 
lutely true and the corruption of good morals 
can often be traced to the same source. 

In the case of Sharp, the druggist, it is 
shown that a man to retain the respect of 
his neighbors and the public in general, must 
be what he professes to be or, in other words 
— if he is a sham in a business way, or a hy- 
pocrit in religion, the time for an exposure 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


9 


always comes just so sure as it is a law of 
Physics that water will find its level. Al- 
ways live sober, honest and truthful lives 
and you will be happy. 

In the person of Miss Ella Means we find 
a perfect lady in every respect, one worthy 
the imitation of every young lady. Is it any 
wonder she is called the Bell of Nebraska? 
She is superlatively beautiful and tirst-class 
in accomplishments — loved and adored by 
every one. 

In our introductory we have endeavored 
to define briefly, the leading characters of 
“ Luck in Disguise,” and must now submit 
the story to the perusal and judgment of 
our readers. If we have failed in our efforts 
to entertain you, dear reader, we are indeed 
very sorry and liojie you will deal with us 
leniently in administering your criticisms, 
since we are but human and likely to make 
mistakes. In each succeeding volume of the 
Series, of which this is number one, we shall 


10 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


endeavor to bridle our pen against impure 
thouglits and give you a purely respectable 
literature, worthy the companionship of any 
lady or gentleman. 


Wm. J. Yexter. 









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1 iX 



“I WOULD THAT YOU RECIPROCATE YOUR STUBBORN WILL, JOHN MEANS, 
THAT IT MIGHT ACCORD WITH MINE/' — CHAPTER I. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


11 


CHAPTER L 

“Well, wife,” said Mr. Means, “What 
conclusion have you come to reguarding 
Henry and have you counted the cost ? ” 

“ Yes, Henry shall rusticate during the hot 
season, as the air is so densely miasmatic in 
the city, that he is continually exposed to ma- 
laria, and other diseases, by inhailing the in- 
fected stench confined to the narrow limits 
of the city, and we cannot jeopardise the life 
of our dear son, by compelling him to remain 
in the city the coming summer. I would 
that you reciprocate your stubborn will, 
John Means, that it might accord with mine. 
Henry, you know, will soon be eighteen, and 
he is quite an old man in both looks and 
actions, all because he has been cooped up in 
the city, where a good breatli of fresh air is 
seldom experienced. He is admitted a very 


12 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


comely young man by all that know him, 
and we should endeavor to sustain it, and his 
social qualities are good too, but, he is grad- 
ually approximating to a lethargical, dormant 
energy that must necessarily be rejuvenated 
by some speedy agency, and I know of no 
surer way than to have him rusticate during 
the hot season, the incoming summer. 

We should earnestly seek to improve and 
promote health as well as to count dollars 
and cents accurately. 

What is wealth in a family of chronic ill- 
health? 

In my estimation it is no more than a last 
years leaf is to an oak, after it has been 
blown from the twig that produced it, by the 
bleak Autumn breeze. 

You may say I am too impetous in my 
demands, but what would a true mother not 
do if it would promote the interest of her 
child and better its condition in this short 
life. 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


13 


Life is too short to admit of the slightest 
abreviatioii, occasioned by carelessness and 
wilful neglect on our parts.” 

“ I hope you will carefully and earnestly 
digest the subject in question, and not care- 
lessly either. You are too prone to treat 
matters lightly, when a few dollars are nec- 
essary to insure success.” 

“ I am quite sure a brief rest in the country 
will not detract anything from his natural 
and cultivated nature; it will only better 
prepare him to execute his studies next 
school year. His manhood will then be in- 
vigorated and his now relaxed energy will 
then become vitalized, and he will return to 
us a brighter and nobler specimen of human- 
ity than when he left us. If all this be true, 
which I firmly believe it will, we shall cer- 
tainly be amply compensated for all our 
trouble and expence.” 

Thus, Mrs. Mean’s responsive lecture was 
delivered one cold frosty morning in Decern- 


14 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


ber, as she and husband were left alone to 
themselves, confronting each other, at the 
breakfast table. 

A more favorable opportunity to press her 
claims had never presented itself, so she 
thought best to freight her arguments with 
the strongest logic possible. The children, 
live in number, having satisfied their raven- 
ous appetites had repaired to the sitting room 
to engage in their sports and enjoy the funny 
anecdotes peculiar to Antie, as the old 
colored lady was called, who had made her 
home with the Means family since it was a 
family. The servant, Mary Brown, was busily 
engaged in the kitchen. Mrs. Means had 
made frequent efforts in the past, to lay the 
matter fairly and candidly before him, but 
knowing him to be very sensitive and obsti- 
nate when biased in his opinions, she kept 
deferring the matter until now. 

She feared, should she introduce the sub- 
ject, that he would enter into a lengthy dis- 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


15 


I cussion, endeavoring to substantiate in her 
I mind, by numerous inferences and logical 
I syllogisms, that her projects were gauzy and 
, woman’s folly, and thus weaken her faith. 

Much to her surprise, he made no responce 
I at all, but took it in calmly and without the 
slightest perceptable irritation of mind. 

While she was engaged in administering 
to him the law, peculiar to her sex only, she 
emphatically impressed her thoughts and, as 
she imagined, in a harmonious way, exercis- 
ing all the while an egotistical importance 
that would discount a symx^horial assemblage 
of learned philosophers, he, Mr. Means, kept 
his eyes vaguely in the direction of the win- 
dow. His seeming inertness of mind, on the 
subject, proved^ conclusively to Mrs. Means, 
the inaptitude of her remarks on his mind, 
in the end. Several minutes had elapsed ere 
the silence was broken. 

The unusual mum of Mr. Means on this 
occasion, created an ardent desire in the 


16 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


breast of bis better-half, to know whether or 
not her strong language had had its desired 
effect or, had irritated him, so, after ponder- 
ing the matter over in her mind, she thought 
best to let the matter rest, for the time being, 
and introduce a new subject, believing the 
seed she was endeavoring to sow would fall 
on productive soil. So she thought she would 
question him reguarding the anticipated trip 
to Cincinnati, he was prepairing to make 
in a few days, and said: 

‘‘ My dear, I feel so anxious about your 
trip to Ohio ; wish it was over. At what hour 
does your train leave Chicago for the East ? ” 

“ I called at the depot, last evening to as- 
certain the necessary information reguarding 
the departure of trains, etc., and the Agent 
informed me that my train would leave the 
depot for Cincinnati at 10:45, a.m., and re- 
quested that I be there at 10 a.m. sharp, that 
no mistakes be made, as there was a great 
variation in time-keepers.” 


LUCK m DISUUISE. 


17 


“ Do you think of extending your trip to 
Boston too? You know you spoke, some time 
since of going to Boston to visit Uncle Joe.” 

“Not unless my business demands it,” re- 
plied Mr. Means. 

“ Should you conclude to extend your trip 
to Boston,” said Mrs. Means, “ telegraph me 
to that effect, as it will appease an ardent 
anxiety in my breast. I suppose should you 
extend your trip, you will be likely to re- 
main East two or three weeks, providing you 
visit uncle Joe, otherwise, should he hear of 
your trip and not see you, he would become 
insulted.” 

“ Most certainly I will visit my venerable 
old uncle, should I go to Boston,” responded 
Mr. Means eagerly. “ He has been a father 
and friend to me and courtesies bestowed on 
me are not to be forgotten, especially when 
done at a sacrifice on the part of the be- 
stower.” 

“ When I was but ten years old, my mother 
2 


18 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


departed this life,” continued Mr. Means, i 
“ and I shall never forget the sweet, comfort- 1 
ing words of uncle Joe. I can hear them | 
yet, and the impressions he made on me ! 
then, are lasting, indellible and eternal. He I 
assumed the entire responsibility of taking 
care of me on the funeral occasion and for 
many days afterward. We would frequently 
go out walking together and he would en- ' 
deavor to amuse me by narrating adventures 
of pioneer life, perilous contests with Indians 
and narrow escapes from the ravenous jaws 
of wild beasts. I became greatly attached to 
him then and the same childish reverence re- 
mains in me to-day. Forget him ! no never. 
At the death of my mother, we were not liv- 
ing in the city, but on a splendid farm within 
one mile of the city. One day when we were 
enjoying our usual walk and chat together, 
we strolled leisurely into the city and soon 

i 

found ourselves confronting a mammoth re- 
tail jewelry establishment. At his request 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


19 


I remained on the exterior of said house, 
while he entered, as he informed me on that 
occasion, to purchase a watch-key. Peering 
into the luxuriant sales room through the 
show-window, I could see his peculiar man- 
euvering and seemingly confidential confer- 
ence with the salesman, but was unable to 
define such actions; it was beyond my com- 
prehension. Having remained in waiting 
some ten or fifteen minutes, I became very 
impatient, and was about to invite him out, 
when he took from his pocket, his great 
wallet of bills and counted down three of 
them to the salesman, and replaced the great 
wallet in his pocket again. What does all 
this mean? (I soliloquized audibly and then 
concluded by saying) that can’t certainly be 
for one little watch-key. Just then uncle 
invited me in and I was not slow about going. 
On entering the store I was made the happy 
recipient of a beautiful silver watch and an 
elegant chain of beautiful complexion, and 


20 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


tlie much appreciated gift adorns my person 
to-day. On investigation I learned the three 
bills paid, were $10 each.” 

“ You were rather young,” said Mrs. M., 
“ to possess so valuable a present. From my 
brief acquaintance with uncle Joe, I esteem 
him very much indeed and think him a kind, 
generous hearted man, and would be so glad 
if you should conclude to visit him before 
you return home again.” 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


21 


CHAPTER IL 

Before they retired at the Means mansion 
that night, Mr. Means had given his consent 
to defer his trip to Cincinnati and visit his 
old uncle in Boston instead. He was easily 
persuaded, however, as his mind was free to 
it on first suggestion by his wife. The morn- 
ing was beautiful and not the smallest cloud 
appeared in the broad canopy of heaven, and 
the inmates of the Means home were all astir. 
Notwithstanding the early hour of 4 o’clock, 
the children were up and enjoying the novelty 
of early rising, and seemed to be in a jolly 
good humor over their pa’s anticipated trii) 
to uncle Joe’s. Mrs. Means being of a nerv- 
ous temperament, easily excited and worried 
over trivial matters, did not appreciate the 
occasion as did the children. The frolicsome, 
» boisterous childern seemed to fret their 


22 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


mother very much indeed, and had a ten- 
dency to impede the progress of her work, 
knowing that if her husband went on the 
5 :10 train she had no time to fool away. She 
very severely reprimanded the little folks for 
their noise, several times, but with no avail. 
Finally breakfast was announced and all 
were soon seated at the table. Having com- 
fortably seated themselves and blessing in- 
voked, Mr. Means consulted his watch and 
found he was limited to only a half hour to 
take nourishment and reach the depot. 

‘‘ Oh, dear, dear, I could not enjoy a con- 
tinuation of this state of affairs,” said Mr. 
Means as he replaced his time-piece in his 
vest pocket. Railroad breakfast! just think 
of it. Who would have thought of the like ? 
ever happening in John Means house? ” 

‘‘ What now, dear ? ” said his wife. “ Is j 
your time too limited to en joy your meal? ^ 
You have the consolation of knowing — if j 
you miss the early train you catch a later 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


23 


I one. Your going does nob depend on this 
one train, thank fortune.” 

“ This thing of early rising is not what it 
is cracked up to be,” said he. “ I feel so ter- 
ribly dormant and dull. I have no relish for 
food after you have gone to the trouble to 
prepare it for me, but I will partake to pre- 
vent hunger after a while,” continued he. 

“ For my part,” said she, “ I enjoy early 
rising, as I was raised that way when a girl 
at home. As you say, so I think, this is too 
much of a good thing by an hour or so. If I 
had niy way, I would arrise at live o’clock the 
year arround.” 

They hurriedly eat their meal and Mrs. 
Means and Henry, the oldest child, accom- 
'• panied Mr. Means to the depot, a distance of 
three quarters of a mile. Henry’s company 
was solicited, as she feared being out on the 
street so early in the morning, on her return 
home from the depot. They had just arrived 
at the depot in time for Mr. Means to procure 


24 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


liis ticket and board the coach, and he was 
soon on his way. On their return home from 
the deiDot Henry remarked : 

“ Mother, why is it pa did not even say 
good-bye? He seemed anxious to get in the 
coach and not give us a chance to bid him 
adieu.” 

“Oh child,” said Mrs. Means, “your pa 
Avas feeling badly on account of leaving us 
behind. I hardly thought he Avould have 
the courage to say good bye and, therefore, 
did not x>ress it on him. I Avould have felt 
much better over his departure had he al- 
lowed us the ]parting kiss and a shake of his 
hand, while Ave exchanged the parting words, 
adieu, esj)ecially should anything serious 
happen to him.” 

Mrs. Means did not feel like rejoicing \^ery 
much over her husband’s departure, she was 
rather inclined to feel sad, yet she had not 
the slightest regrets for his having gone — in- 
deed she AA^as glad he had concluded to visit 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


25 


liis uncle Joe. It was really her fault that 
he consented to go, she having insisted on it 
the day before. 

Mrs. Means Avas very much surprised, on 
her return home, to find such a sad gloom 
hovering over her household. The children 
were all mum and as still as death, and seemed 
quite heart-broken, which only had a ten- 
dency to deepen the solemnity of their 
mother — she felt, on entering the house, like 
her limbs would no longer support her 
frame, and could scarcely keep from shed- 
ding tears of sorrow. She had hoped to find 
the children as she had left them, cheerful 
and full of mischief, thinking it would assist 
her in bearing up under the present circum- 
stances, and, in a measure, to forget her sore 
trial. She and Mr. Means were united as 
one, twenty years ago and never before, since 
their union had they been separated more 
than two nights in succession, but this time 
he expected a three or four weeks vi^it. He 


26 


LLCK IN DISGUISE. 


had occasionally been called away, on busi- 
ness to Cincinnatti, and elsewhere yet never 
remained away over two nights. All that 
night nature’s morphia had not quieted her 
shifting, restless thoughts. She would view 
the bright and then the dark side of the pic- 
ture, occasionally rehearsing their conversa- 
tion of yesterday, at unlimited intervals 
heavy moans and sorrowful sighs protruded 
from her lips, showing inward grief, the 
sequel of which has not been divulged. She 
arose quite early the next morning, in fact, 
much earlier then usual, as the night had 
failed of repose to her weary mind and body. 
She allowed the servant girl to remain abed, 
as did she yesterday morning, that she might 
prepare breakfast all alone without any one 
to disturb her thoughts. There seemed to be 
an unusual weight of grief bearing her down. 
It is quite evident that the brief absence of 
her husband had not caused the exhibition 
of such melancholy. No, that can’t be it. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


27 


we must await further development in the 
case. The neighbors very readily perceived 
the striking change in her life, and many 
conjectures in the matter were made by her 
friends. After breakfast she retired to the 
parlor leaving the kitchen and dining-hall 
exclusively to Mary, the servant, whom she 
knew would manage that department as well, 
if not better that she could direct or oversee. 
At mid-day Henry rushed excitingly into the 
dining-hall where Mary was busily engaged 
at her usual work, and exclaimed, being 
much excited: 

‘‘Mother! mother! where is mother, 
Mary ? ” and Mary informed him of his 
mother’s serious illness. 

“But,” said Henry, “here is a letter and 
I think it is from pa. She must see the 
letter as soon as possible, as we are very 
anxious to.hear of his safe arrival at uncle 
Joes.” 

“ I can’t possibly be from your pa, as he 


28 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


has not more than arrived there said Mary, 
“ although he could have written from some 
point on the road.” 

“He might have had an opportunity, at 
some x)oint, to have addressed us.” 

“ Well,” said Mary, “ you must steal lightly 
into the room and avoid making unnecessary 
noise. Rest will do her more good than 
news, just now.” Henry coursed his way 
into the parlor in a light but hurried manner, 
and was delighted to find his mother aw^ake 
and feeling much refreshed. “ Mother,” said 
Henry, “ how are you feeling now ? I hope 
you are enjoying a refreshed mind and body 
after your little sleep.” 

“ Yes, Henry, I feel much refreshed in both 
mind and body,” said his mother. 

“ Have you just returned from school? con- 
tinued she. 

“Yes, mother, I am just from school and 
have brought you a letter, which I believe to 
be from pa. The postmark is too dim to tell 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


29 


where it is from but, here it is, open it quickly 
and we can soon see who the writer is.” 

“ Oh, no, my son, it can’t be from your pa, 
since he has not more than arrived at Boston, 
as yet. We will soon see, however,” said 
his ma. 

“ You and Mary are both of the same oppin> 
ion about it being too soon for to hear from 
pa, yet I thought, possibly he might have a 
chance to write to us from some station, 
where the train might be compelled to lay 
up awhile.” 

Mrs. Means opened the letter and read 
aloud, to Henry, as follows: 

Lincoln, Nebraska, Dec. 2, 18 — . 

To Mr. and Mrs. John Means: Dear Brother 
and Sister; — It has been some time since we 
have had any intelligence concerning you. 
Hope you are all well. Our health is univer- 
sally good. I shall only write a note this 
time, as I contemplate making you a visit 


30 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


during the present month Or the first of next 
month, and I will give you all the news when 
I come. Try and arrange business so that 
some of you can accompany me home. Ella i 
is anxious to accompany me to your house. 

Yours as ever, Henry Means, Sr.” 

A noticeable change of countenance came ■ 
over Mrs. Means, as she read the letter aloud j 
to Henry. She began to improve from that i 
very hour and new life seemed to abound 
within and predominate over her being. 
Turning to Henry she exclaimed: 

Isn’t that good? It would be so nice if 
your pa would permit you to accompany . 
your uncle and cousin home and spend the 
hot season in the country. What do you 
think of it? ” 

Henry answered her in rather a jolly way 
and in the use of comic language, thus: 
“That is just the color of my kitten. We 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


31 


must cut our notches to suit the cogs. Go, 
certainly.” 

“ I am glad you are so anxious to go to the 
country, as it will do you so much good and 
learn you something too, but, what do you 
mean by cutting the notches, etc.” 

I mean by that, that we have pa to con- 
tend with and convert to our plans. You 
know, there are always obsticles to overcome 
in almost everything we do.” 


32 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


CHAPTER III. 

Mrs. Means put in a sleepless night after 
receiving the letter. Her mind was at con- 
flict. One moment her thoughts were bright 
and she felt encouraged ; the next they were 
very dark. The following is a sample: I 

Saved ! yes, my own plighted love, Saved ! j 
yes my flrst-born son. But then his pa has i 
refused me! I will plead, kneel and move 
not from my knees until he does yield to my 
entreaty. Oh, he certainly will submit to 
my earnest appeals. He will hear me, let me 
but plead. Peace! yes, I must attain unto 
it, or I shall go mad. 

A mother’s child is no common prize and 
no jewel is equivalent to its inestimable 
value. Henry’s western trip is not the pre- 
dominating burden of my sad heart. There 
are other griefs far more appalling and more 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


33 


ghastly to behold. But a few days have 
elapsed since John left us for Boston, and it 
seems to me as though the few days were a 
month. Could I but see him and counsel 
briefly it would be such a relief to my trou- 
bled mind just now. The load of grief might 
be lifted off.” 

Just here Mrs. Means was interrupted in 
her lonely soliloquy, by the servant girl, who 
called at the room to invite her to breakfast, 
and was startled to And her still abed, which 
was something very unusual for her. 

“Are you ill this morning? ” inquired the 
servant. 

“No, dear,” replied Mrs. Means, “there is 
nothing unusual the matter with me, only I 
feel so sad.” 

“ Wouldn’t it be a great relief to your bur- 
dened mind and aching hart, to reveal your 
troubles, that others may condole with you, 
and, if possible, share your burden? This is 

sometimes a great relief, to have some friend 
3 


34 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


to disclose your griefs to, in confidence,” 
said Mary. 

“Uncle Henry’s letter afforded me great 
relief in mind, and I love to keep perusing 
its contents,” said Mrs. M. “ The letter was 
short, yet, in my estimation, it contained a 
vast amount of valuable infomation. To re- 
veal my thoughts, as you have suggested, 
would only involve the minds of others un- 
necessarily, therefore, I think best to retain 
it a while longer.” 

“O, no, don’t endure a mental infelicity 
continually, when a revelation of it to your 
best friend might be the means of devising 
some plan whereby the evil tormenter might 
be completely extirpated, and you restored 
to the most perfect felicity again. I prom- 
ise to do for you, what I can.” 

“ Why should I encumber your happiness 
with my mental struggles, thereby multiply 
human distress where it could have been 
avoided, had I not made public my sore trials 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


35 


and distress. I feel very greatful to you 
Mary, for your kind and generous-hearted 
offers, yet, I am not willing that one so good 
as you shall suffer on my account, even 
thought you are willing to make the sacri- 
fice.” As she uttered these words, her fair 
face flushed and her dark eyes glared and 
she seemed to have much fever. The servant 
retired sorrowfully, leaving her mistress to 
meditate in solitude, feeling that her pres- 
ence only aggravated and darkened the scene. 
Henry entered the dining-hall soon after 
Mary, and the melancholy scene was sadly 
portrayed to the \dsion of his affectionate 
and tender mind. He dropped his head on 
his breast and stood trembling and mute, 
while the tears traced each other over his 
fair cheeks. He loved his mother supremely 
and could not bear to see her in such deep 
trouble. Having mastered his deep emotions, 
he said, with faltering voice : — 

“Mary, do you think mother is danger- 


36 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


ously ill? Do yon think she will die? Oh, 
what can we do to relieve her? ” 

“ No, I hope she is not dangerously ill,” ; 
said Mary. ‘‘ Her whole trouble seems to be 
mentally and not physically. There is some- 
thing nnnsnal on her mind which she refuses 
to divnlge, preferring to keep it within her i 
own breast.” 

“ Do yon thing it advisable that I procnre 
the doctor’s services?” asked Henry excit- 
edly. 

“We can better decide that by interview- 
ing her,” replied Mary. ] 

“ Bnt stop! ” said Henry, “ she may object, 
should we depend on what she may say 
about it and then we wonld be at the end of 
onr string. Shonld we stop to interrogate 
her on the subject and her answer shonld be 
no, I conld not, though I wonld be tempted 
to disobey her.” 

“We need not necessarily mention the- 
matter of procnring a physician, Ave will only 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


37 


consult her regarding her present state of 
feelings,” said Mary and she continued — 
“ She may be much better now than when I 
called at her room. Come let’s go up again 
and see her.” 

They stole noiselessly to the chamber door, 
where they paused for some time in breath- 
less silence, and placing their ears to the 
seam of the door to glean some intelligent 
information concerning her condition. They 
could hear nothing but a low, soft moan and 
an occasional murmur as if she was talking 
in her sleep, but the articulation was too in- 
distinct for their comprehension. Mary 
turned the door knob and they were soon in 
the sufferer’s room, and found her enjoying 
sweet rest. This was indeed a relief to their 
troubled minds. They were satisfied from 
what their eyes had seen, that she was much 
better. Poor Mary, she had not only her 
hands but her heart full also. She had al- 
ways made it a rule to discard the dark pic- 


38 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


tures in life, as much as possible, and admit 
" the bright and cheerful, as only a true Christ- 
ian can do, as she in reality was. Her soul 
was in daily training and strengthening — by 
duty, trials, and endurance here, — for glory, 
honour, and immortality hereafter. She did 
not, amid the rough and rugged parts of 
life’s journey permit her feet to let her fall 
but pressed forward in the discharge of every 
duty, improving as strength and grace was 
imparted. When overwhelming griefs and 
soul-agonising troubles come upon her, she 
would be calm, patient, and submissive, and 
she had long and sedulous exercise of the 
graces of the Christian character. The scene 
through which she has, by duty, been called 
too pass through, has been the most trying 
of any during her life. Reader! I wish we 
were all like Mary — ^loving, gentle, and not 
so sacriligious as the great mass of the 
human race is, especially when slightly irri- 
tated in mind over trivial matters. They 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


3-9 


! remained but a short time in the sick ladies 
chamber. 

“ We will retire and not disturb her/^ said 
Mary, “ as rest will do her more good than 
anything else we can do for her, besides, she 
may have put in a sleepless night.” 

Henry relied much on Mary’s judgment, 
and seemed willing to obey all her requests. 
Before retiring from the room, Henry gave 
one searching glance at the peacefully re- 
posing form of his mother, and seemed to 
say, in actions but not in words: ‘‘Mother! 
mother! what would’st thou have me do? 
Say the word and it shall be done,” 

They quietly retired from the room ; 
Henry’s large bright eyes were again dimmed 
with tears, giving expression of the deepest 
sympathy. He was naturally very tender- 
hearted and it is useless for me to say, he 
loved his mother dearly, which is the duty 
of every young man and lady too — if they 
are devoid of motherly love they are not 


40 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


worthy a place in respectable society; not 
only did he love his mother, but, he was the 
idol of her heart also. 

Henry was indeed quite a man in stature, 
being nearly six feet in hight and his weight 
was 150 pounds. He had acquired an ex- 
tensive book education, having mastered all 
the common school branches, and his knowl- 
edge of logic, rhetoric, physology, zoology, 
etc., was indeed astounding. No wonder j 
that his mother held him in such high es- \ 
teem. How many mothers now-a-days ex- I 
perience much difficulty in their efforts to ] 
keep their boys in school and many times ^ 
girls too? They don’t appreciate the educa- > 
tional advantages until they have passed from j 
their grasp and then it is too late. It seems 
as though their most natural propensity is to 
shun the places of learning, and, as if drawn 
by magnetic force they flock to the places of 
merriment and of but little worth and allow 
themselves to grow up in gross ignorance 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


41 


without - ' n an intelligent comprehension of 
the much needed commodity, mathematics; 
but Henry’s mind seemed to drift in a differ- 
ent channel from most young people. It 
might be Avell to add, that, the advantages 
for acquiring an education under the graded 
system of to-day, is a rough one indeed. The 
pupil must certainly be an apt student if he 
gets to quit school with a decent knowledge 
' of books. At the rate the educational ad- 
vatages have been mutilated by a set of 
cranks, it Avill be only a few years until it 
will be said — “.you had better keep your 
child at home for all the good it does to 
send him to school,” and I don’t know but 
it is virging on this point now. 

“Hark! said Henry, “I hear a noise in 
mother’s room. What can it be? ” “ I shall 
hasten to see,” said Mary, “ be patient until 
I return.” 

Mary went hurriedly yet lightly, and was 
pleased to find Mrs. Means had arose from 


42 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


her bed and was dressing herself and said she 
felt better. 

“I am truly gratihed, Mrs. Means,” said 
Mary, “ to see you are able to be up. I feared 
you had symptoms of fever. Do you feel 
like indulging in a light breakfast,” 

“Oh, Mary, dear,” replied Mrs. Means, 
“ you are so patient and watchful, and mani- 
fest such an anxiety for my welfare since my 
illness. How shall I ever reward you for 
your kindness toward me? You may pre- 
pare for me a little toast, I shall come to 
the dining-hall for it.” 

“ I go gladly and prepare your toast,” said 
Mary. “ Can you think of anything else you 
could eat this morning? ” 

“ I am so much troubled Mary, dear, I wish 
I could wait on myself more as you have 
enough other work to do without waiting 
on me continually. The toast will do just 
now: — I can think of nothing else.” 

“Worry not, Mrs. Means, it is a pleasure 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


43 


to me to administer to tlie wants of the sick. 
I am thankful I am physically able.” 

In the meantime Henry was summoned to 
the front door to answer to the door-bell’s 
signal, and soon returned full of gayety, just 
in time to meet the servant again in the din- 
ing-hall, who had just returned from his sick 
mother’s chamber. The mail carrier had just 
brought them glad tidings from his father. 

“ See! ” said Henry, “ I have a letter from 
pa. There is no doubting this time. The 
postmark is very plain and reads — Boston, 
Dec. 20th., i p.M. and this is the 22d. This 
will be good medicine for ma.” 

He was so overjoyed that he could not await 
his ma’s coming to the dining-hall. Off he 
went, and he was soon in the presence of his 
ma, and the letter placed in her possession. 
She soon divested the letter of its Avrapper 
and read its contents aloud to Henry, as 
follows : 


44 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


Boston, Mass., Dec. 20, 18 — 

“ Dear wife and Family. — I hasten to write 
yon my first epistol since my departure from 
home, this being my first opportunity. I 
was delayed one day, or nearly so, on account • 
of a wreck, which occurred to a freight train 
on the night previous. On my arrival here I 
experienced but little trouble in finding 
uncle Joe’s. They were all enjoying excel- 
lent health and my own health could not be 
better than now. Home is never out of my j 
mind one minute ; hope you are all cheerful, • j 
happy and above all, in good health. I could 
not bid any of you good-bye when I parted j 
from you — I could never stand that. He- ^ 
guarding Henry’s western trip, into the ] 
country, uncle Joe thinks it would be the i 
making of him to have him go. Will write j 
more again. Yours affectionately, John j 
Means. ” ^ 


As Mrs. Means read her husband’s brief 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


45 


missive her countenance became lit up and 
radiant, giving expression of a most hearty 
approbation. She refolded the letter as her 
husband had originally done, and gave the 
first mirthful expression since her husband’s 
departure for Boston. Henry seemed to be 
in a quandary to know why he was the prin- 
cipal subject of all their conversation any 
more than the other children, and his mind 
was being very much agitated on the strength 
of it. Mrs. Means repaired to the dining- 
hall where her breakfast was in waiting and 
seemed to enjoy her meal very much in- 
deed. 

Henry remained in his mother’s chamber, 
meditating over what had passed ; while he 
endeavored to exhibit an outward calmness, 
he did not allow himself to cultivate a feel- 
ing of animosity or contemptous disposition, 
especially toward the one he loved so much 
as his mother. 

“ Why are they so anxious to get me in 


46 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


the country?’’ queried Henry to himself. 

“ I am not so hard to keep in grub, I don’t i 

i 

think, and if I was a ravenous eater, pa is ] 
amply able to stand it. He should have : 
thought of the expence before he began rais- ' 
ing his family, if the expence is what is hurt- 
ing him, at this late day.” 

Leaving his mother’s room, he decided to ; 
go on the loafer’s list the remainder of the i 
day, and he strolled down street and he was 
not long in finding companions of like em- 
ployment. His heart was heavy and his sad.- 
ness increased as he attempted to reason the 
matter in his mind. He was very sensative 
and yet very affectionate. He would never 
do anything to impede or destroy the happi- 
ness of others and was always willing to lend 
a helping hand to those needing his aid or 
advice, and was most excellent counsel, al- 
though so young in years. The Means family 
retired early that evening. Henry retired, 
early, thinking to tranquil his burdensom 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


47 


mind. Poor boy! his mind was completely 
mystetied. 

He could not comprehend the import of 
his parents scheme concerning him, never 
stopping once to examine the bright side of 
the picture, but continually scrutinizing the 
dark side, all the while rendering the pic- 
ture more dark and hideous. He had never 
in his life doubted his parent’s true love for 
him; hence, his conclusions were too rashly 
determined. Sabbath morning came and the 
family were up early and a peaceful calm 
seemed to pervade every breast. Even Henry 
had quite forgotten his troubles. His sleep 
seemed to have refreshed his mind and he 
was more like himself again. 

“ Oh, what a lovely day is this,” said Mrs. 
Means, “ I am glad to be able to enjoy it. I 
feel as though a mighty weight had been 
lifted from my breast.” 

“ We were much concerned about you for 
a few days,” said Mary, “ and considered you 


48 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


in a very dangerous condition. We are glad 
you can be with us and liope you may con- 
tinually improve.” 

“I feel almost like a new person to day 
and hope I may not be compelled to undergo 
such a nervous attack again. I suppose it 
will not be many days until we shall enjoy 
the society of uncle Henry. His daughter 
Ella says she will try and pursuade her pa to 
let her accompany him here. I am expecting 
them about Christmas-day and we must ar- 
range for a grand reception before they come. 
Christmas, you know, is a great day for feast- 
ing and gayety. It has been six years since 
I have seen uncle Henry and probably would 
not know him. He is Johns twin brother 
and I think it is too bad they are deprived of 
being together no oftener. John and I were 
to see him, and family, six years ago, and we 
had an enjoyable time — ;they did all in their 
power for our comfort and happiness and I 
wish to return the compliment. Mary, you 


LUCjv iN DISGUISE. 


49 


can prepare sometliing grand for them, re- 
gardless of expenses; all the enjoyments I 
have here are not of an extravagant nature, 
— even if they were, John Means is able to 
stand it, you know.” 

“ I will do it,” said Mary, we shall have a 
jolly good time while they are here if you 
leave it to my judgment.” 

“ I license you chief cook and manager of 
the cookery dej^artment, for, I have thor- 
oughly tested you and found you more than 
competent.” 

“All right,” said Mary laughing, “I will 

do you a good job, health permitting me.” 

4 


50 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


CHAPTER ly. 

This is Christmas day. Were we to at- 
tempt to describe the gaities and festivities 
participated in by the Means family, our 
language would fail us. 

Suffice it, we will say, long before the 
morning twilight appeared in the Eastern 
horrizon, to shed forth its phosphorescent 
rays through the thickly falling snow-flakes, 
the Means family were all in tune, prepara- 
tory to the events coincident and peculiarly 
allied to such occasions. 

Mrs. Means mingled her voice and person 
with the servant and the children, endeavor- 
ing to dispel all gloom, and, if possible, to 
forget her grief that so impeded her happi- 
ness ; despite all her efforts, her visage gave 
evidence of an unadjusted evil, which was 
forcibly portrayed in a sad and strangely 
melancholy look of her countenance. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


51 


The children seemed to enjoy the presence 
of their mother very much, and their ques- 
tions regarding Kris-Krinkle, as they exam- 
ll; ined tlie contents of their stockings, were 
many. She could not answer all the ques- 
tions and did not try, for had she attempted 
it she would only have found rest in the 
cemetery in the end. As the shadows of the 
night were shortened by the rising of the 
• sun, and the darkness finally swallowed up 
the luminosity of its brilliancy, the sport- 
i ing season became more intenable with the 
children. The ground was enshrouded in a 
i coat of snow, emblematic of purity, from 
four to six inches in depth, affording excel- 
lent facilities for sleighing, and a large per 
cent of the young people made good use of 
the opportunity. It proved to be more fun 
for man than beast, and one could not help 
expressing their sympathies for the jaded 
animals as they passed the streets bver with 
unusual velocity, stimulated occasionally to 


52 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


persevere by a free application of the nnmer- 
cifnl whip in the hands of the indiscreet 
driver. Despite the immensity of the snow 
and the disagreeable frosty atmosphere, the j 
streets of Chicago were alive with urchins, \ 
running to and fro, wishing every one they j 
met a merry Christmas.” It seemed indeed r 
quite evident to the looker-on that they en- * 
joyed a “ merry Christmas ” too. ( 

The Means family were all at home, yet all ' 
out in their front yard or on the pavement 
fronting their costly mansion. Had it not i 
been for the anticipated visit of the children’s 
uncle Henry and his daughter Ella, they too ‘ 
would have engaged in the sports of the day. , 
They were too anxious to see their expected 
visitors to venture far from home, as they ' 
were not sure as to what train they could ar- 
rive on if they came at all that day. 

As they stood in groups admiring the tran- 
sitory scenes of gaiety, Estella, the only ! 
daughter approached her mother, being hlled I 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


53 


i with tender compassion, and her soft, sweet 
bine eyes were dimmed with sympathetic 
tears as she said : 

“See, mother, look! how my heart aches 
for those poor little ragged children over on 
the corner. I would like to know their his- 
tory. It must be a sad one indeed. Let’s 
investigate their circumstances, will you 
mother? ” 

The mother manifested an intense interest 
in the poor unfortunates too, and expressed 
an anxiety to become acquainted with their 
situation, but Joe reprimanded her rather 
harshly, saying: 

“ Why are you so interested in those little 
brats, they are nothing to us and we don’t 
have them to keep. Let’s enjoy our Christ- 
mas and let the little outcasts alone. Home 
is the place for such little ragged scallawags 
as they are. We pay for all our Christmas 
fun.” 

As Joe spoke these words his mother and 


54 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


the children all gave him such a look of re- 
proof and surprise, that his countenance fell 
as he nttered the final sentence, for he could 
easily tell by their earnest look of reproof 
that they were all against him and disap- 
proved of his chaffy remarks. 

“Oh! Joe,” retorted his mother, “yon are 
certainly beside yourself! How dare you 
retain or cultivate such cruel thoughts? 

I am well aware they sustain no filial rela- 
tionship to me, but they are some poor 
mother’s children, and are deserving of much 
pity.” 

Just here Joe interrupted his mother by 
saying — “There is no necessity of children 
running in the streets in their condition, in a 
free country, when everything is so cheap 
and plentiful.” 

“My dear, hasty son,” said Mrs. M. “You 
should first hear the testimony before pass- 
ing sentence. They may have no father, as 
you have to administer to their pressing ne- 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


55 


cessities, and, if they have a mother, she may 
be sickly and tind it difficult to provide for 
the support of the little ones tliiis left to 
her care. Suppose they have a father, and 
he a poor, worthless inebriate, must we as 
rational human beings suffer their tender, 
helpless forms to perish from the cold to 
which they are now exposed, or die from 
hunger, when our table and pantry are groan- 
ing under the enormous weight of dainties, 
as well as substantial food prepaired, by 
Mary, expressly for this occation, that we 
might eat, drink, give to our neighbors, that 
we may all be merry? 

It does my soul good to be able to help the 
poor and needy. 

lam sure they can’t help it if their parents 
don’t do right, if indeed they are to blame.” 

Stanley, the third son, is but thirteen years 
old, being two years Estella’s junior. lie is 
a bright, beautiful, red-cheeked and dark- 
eyed boy, and very large of his age, and his 


56 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


ways were very pleasant and winning, unlike 
that of his obstinate brother Joe. Having 
listened with interest to the conversation re- 
guarding the poor little children, Stanley 
finaly asked permission of his ma, to go after 
them, which was granted him. 

Oif he went, taking Willie, the youngest, 
who had but recently passed his eleventh 
birthday, with him. They seemed to esteem 
it an honor to lead the poor^little, illy clad 
children to their father’s beautiful mansion, 
and to treat them as, perhapse, they had 
never been treated before. They were not 
long gone, however, until they returned 
bringing their guests with them. “Good 
morning little folks, come into the fire, you 
are near about frozen,” was the kindly salu- 
tation given them by Mrs. Means, upon their 
arrival at the front gate. “ How is it that you 
are out on the streets this cold day,” she 
continued. 

“Oh! Ave are hunting for Criss; ma said 


LUCK IX DISGUISF. 


57 


he wouldn’t come to our house, as we are too 
poor, and said he was down in town,” said 
the oldest. 

“God bless you dear children, he shall 
come,” said Mrs. M., and continued “And 
where is your ma and pa, to-day? ” 

“ Oh ! dear lady,” responded the oldest child, 
“ my ma is very sick in bed and will die, they 
say, but pa is ji bad man, for he gets drunk 
and gets us nothing to eat and ma is too sick 
to bind shoes now to get any money.” 

Joe acted with indifference toward the lit- 
tle strangers until his mother removed the 
half-worn boots and shoes from their sockless 
feet, which were blue with cold and here and 
there great creases were laid open and raw, 
which, had their blood been warm it would 
have flowed copiously. Their feet were pla ced 
into some cold water in order to extract the 
frost from them, and they were given some 
hot coffee to drink, and their natural feelings 
were restored again. 


58 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


Warmer clothing were placed on them, 
and socks on their feet, for which they ex- 
pressed their deepest gratitude with tearful 
eyes. Placing her hands on each of their 
heads, Mrs. Means said, with tears in her 
eyes; 

“ God bless you dear little lambs, and re- 
deem and finally save you and your cruel 
father.” 

The little strangers were then seated at the 
table, which was burthened with all the lux- 
uries which are seldom obtained but by those 
of affluent circumstances, and they partook 
eagerly of the good things with a relish that 
did the Means family much good to witness. 

They felt as though their gifts were, for 
once at least, properly and appropriately be- 
stowed. Heretofore it had been their cus- 
tom to give precious gifts to their wealthy 
friends and relatives, and of taking no thought 
of the ragged, starving poor. ‘Even Joe’s 
acrimonious mind and feelings seemed to re- 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


59 


solve its primitive inclinations into that of a 
punctilious humiliation. 

Language nor sculptor could successfully 
describe or depict the magnanimous flow of 
happiness derived from this simple scene. 

' On the table at which the children of pov- 
erty had for once an honorary seat, were ar- 
ranged numerous fruit dishes filled to their 
uttermost capacity, with costly confection- 
ery. The children were permitted to indulge 
I freely of the dainties while at the table, and 
were given a large assortment to take to their 
1 homes besides. 

Henry was dispatched in haste to secure a 
I sleigh to take the little fellows to their home. 
He soon returned with a beautiful two seated 
sleigh, drawn by two spirited nags, and after 
wrapping up the poor little fellows warmly, 
Mrs. M. nestled them down in the front of the 
sleigh, as cozy as you please. Mrs. Means 
had a curiosity within her to better under- 
stand their condition in life, so she took pas- 


60 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


sage in the sleigh, as did Estella and Stanley 
also, who had already manifested their de- 
termination to accompany them, by seating 
themselves in the sleigh. Otf they went, rap- 
idly gliding over the snow, the senior of the 
three little ones piloting the way. 

They seemed to enjoy the novelty of the 
occasion very much for they would look up 
into Henry’s face, their beautiful bright eyes 
would sparkle and occasionally they would 
laugh merrily. Out in the suberbs of the 
city the little guide pointed out a rustic and 
partly dilapidated hut, instructing them that 
it was their humble home. 

Henry drove up to the gate and they all 
alighted from the sleigh and quietly entered 
the house. Clenliness and neatness were 
clearly visible. There were no accumulated 
piles of dirt, and poverty itself looked re- 
spectable. On a clean old-fashioned bedstead 
lay the children’s poor sick mother. She 
was very weak and her countenance gave 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


61 


evidence of deep trouble. Mrs. Means ap- 
proached her bed and taking hold of her 
thin, boney hand, she said : — 

“ Good evening, dear lady, how do you feel 
to-day? ” 

The invalid attempted an answer but failed 
in the act. Her eyes filled with tears which 
tracked each other over her careworn cheeks, 
and Mrs. Means dried them with her own 
handkerchief. 

‘‘ I am pained to see you undergoing such 
discomfort of mind and body,” continued 
Mrs. Means. 

“Ah,” said she, “ I shall soon be at rest. 
This withered form will soon know no more 
pain. It will not be long until it shall be con- 
signed to its mother dust, and, I trust, this 
spirit of mine shall sweep through heaven’s 
portals, washed in the blood of the Lamb.” 

“ But,” said Mrs. Means, “ you may survive 
your expectations. I trust you may for your 
dear little children’s sake.” 


62 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


As soon as Mrs. Means mentioned her little 
children, she was completely overcome for a 
short time, when she finaly made this pitiful 
reply:— 

“My children! ah, yes; I would like to live 
longer on their account. They have been the 
acme of my life since their existence, but if 
I must go, I go willingly, leaving them in the 
unerring hands of Providence, who hath 
promised to be a father to the motherless. 
For a number of years I have supported them 
with my needle, binding shoes and whatever 
my hands found to do, and oh, how my heart 
aches for the dear little souls.” 

She could say no more as she was inter- 
rupted by choking sobs. The name of this 
unfortunate lady is Everts. She is a woman 
of unusual intelligence, and was once a school 
teacher of very high grade and continued in 
the profession several years until her union 
with Samuel Everts. Her husband is thought 
an irretrievable sot, for his earnings all go 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


63 


for liquor and is now incarcerated in tlie city 
I jail to await the action of the court for a 
misdemeanor which happened during his 
I holiday debauch. 

Mrs. Everts did not know when her chil- 
dren left home to go in the city, as she was 
asleep, and seemed very much astonished on 
learning the history of their exploits while 
there. Her countenance brighened, giving 
expressions of a grateful heart when the chil- 
dren exhibited their presents, both in cloth- 
j ing and eatables, and she repeatedly thanked 
; Mrs. Means and her children for their benev- 
olence. 

I Just as they were about to take their de- ^ 
i parture, Mrs. Means gave the sick lady two 
five dollar gold pieces, saying: 

“This is your Christmas present, to be 
used as you may deem best, for yourself and 
children. I shall not dictate, since you cer- 
tainly know best.” 

She took the bright pieces from the hand 


64 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


of the donor and, could Gay nothing at all ; 
she grasped the giver’s hand fervently, and 
wept for joy. They jiarted, promising that 
some of the party would call again on the 
morrow. 

After Miey had gone some distance from 
the scene, Mrs. M. remarked: 

“If we are so fortunate as to find your 
uncle Henry and cousin Ella at home, when 
we arrive, my joys, for once will be com- 
plete.” 

Stanley and Estella remarked in unison: 

“Our joys have been fully realized.” 

After arriving at their home and in the act 
of divesting themselves of their wraps, the 
doorbell summoned the servent to the door. 
“Who comes?” they inquired of each other. 
Willie availed himself of the opportunity of 
peering through the door ajar, and reported 
— “ a lady and gentleman.” The servent soon 
escorted them to the sitting-room, as the 
parlor was secured against intruders, as it 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


65 


contained the Christmas tree ladened with 
precious gifts, and under Mary’s supervision. 
It was indeed Uncle Henry and Ella that had 
come. On account of the long journey, they 
said they were very tired, and said they 
would like to retire soon after dark, that they 
might rest. It was then suggested by Mrs. 
Means that the Christmas-tree exercises be 
postponed untill to-morrow, which was agreed 
to by them all. Well they did too, as uncle 
Henry and Ella took an active part, not only 
in the exercises, but in the bestowing of gifts 
also, as will be shown further on. Had they 
disposed of the Christmas-tree fun that even- 
ing, perhapse their esteemed visitors would 

not have taken the part they did. 

5 


66 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


CHAPTER V. 

“I SHALL make a strenuous effort to be 
cheerful to-day,” said Mrs. Means, as she en- 
tered the dining hall after Christmas, next 
morning; “but then,” she contniued in a 
choking voice, “ I feel as though I can never 
conquer that consuming grief that is crouched 
within my breast.” 

“But why should it continue longer?” 
asked the servent. “ You certainly can real- 
ize the fact that a cultivation of that kind of 
feelings are repugnant to your happiness. 
You should nerve up, and endeavor to fortify 
your mind against the disastrous approach 
of such unhappy feelings.” 

“ I have endeavored to do this,” said Mrs. 
M., “ but my mind will continually revert to 
the old trouble again.” 

Mary listened wearily, then said; “My 



‘‘he was superinduced by his ravenous appetite for liquor, 

HENCE HIS ENTHRALLMENT BY THE LAW/'— CHAPTER V. 






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LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


67 


dear, you lack faith and will power. Did 
you not enjoy Christmas day? ” 

‘‘Perhapse I have not the required faith 
and will power, I should have. Well, yes, I 
did enjoy Christmas-day very much indeed, 
but then my mind was continually employed 
all day, and you know that is a great help 
to one almost forlorn.” 

“ Forlorn ! ah, forlorn ! ” . said the servent, 
“ is it possible you have a forlorn hope? Oh, 
no, certainly not this. I beseech you earn- 
estly Mrs. Means, to endeavor to burry the 
things of the past, and look not on the dark 
side of the picture, but may the bright side 
reflect on your future pathway continually.” 

“Perhapse I do borrow trouble unneces- 
sarily,” said Mrs. Means ; I shall endeavor to 
profit by your most excellent advice, Mary, 
but then, if you could solve the misteries of 
my discordant nature, you would be more 
mitigating and sympathetic toward me.” 
‘^Sympathetic! no one can feel more so 


68 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


than I am. I can’t express my deep sym- 
pathy in words. I was in great hopes that 
nncle Henry and Ella’s visit here would prove 
a complete restorative to you” continued 
Mary. “ Come let’s be cheerful and make the 
best of our conditions. Breakfast will soon 
be ready. Wonder if uncle Henry and Ella 
are up yet? It is a pity to disturb them; I 
know they must be very tired, coming so 
far.” It appears from the conversation be- 
tween Mrs. Means and Mary, the servent 
girl, that Mary was prepaired for her on this 
occasion and condignly met her mistress’ 
arguments and, in rather a cool way from 
that she was accustomed to. Probably Mary 
imagined that her mistress’ daily repitition 
of this kind of conduct was mainly to elicit 
her sympathies and to enjoy Mary’s pet 
names which she so liberally indulged in on 
similar occasions. Mary was indeed a true 
Christian girl, having been a member of the 
Baptist church a number of years, and, not 


LUCK IN I/ISGUISE. 


69 


only had she a name in the church, but she 
practiced what she professed, in her every 
day life. 

Mrs. Means did not remain long in Mary’s 
presence, however, but returned to other parts 
of the house, arranging for the comfort of 
her guests, against the severities of the 
weather. 

Uncle Henry arose about 7:30 a.m., and 
prepaired himself for breakfast. Coming 
into the sitting room he recognized the ab- 
sence of his daughter, and fearing the long 
journey had made her ill, he began an inves- 
tigation, and was pleased to learn that she 
and Estella were sleeping sweetly side by 
side. The loss of sleep and bodily exertion 
by both of the girls had been instrumental 
in the production of a comatous feeling they 
could not well overcome. They were per- 
mited to enjoy their rest until 8 a.m., when 
they were sunmoned to their morning meal, 
which they had to enjoy all alone as Uncle 


70 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


Henry and tlie family had indulged their 
appetites in a bounteous feast while they 
slept. After all had satisfied their appetites, 
the question must be disposed of as to 
wheather they should enjoy the Christmas 
tree fun or, first pay their respects to the 
poor, sick Mrs. Everts. 

Mrs. Means was anxious to obtain uncle 
Henry’s opinion as to which would be the 
most advisable, and, in order to ascertain his 
judgment on this point, he must be interro- 
gated, so she put the question : 

“Uncle Henry, don’t you think the wisest 
plan would be to visit the Everts family first, 
this morning, and pay our tribute of respect 
to that poor invalid lady and then we would 
be better prepared to enjoy our Christmas- 
tree exercises at home? I feel very anxious 
about that poor, good woman, and want to 
do what I can for her. 

I fear sh^ will die and leave her sweet little 
bright-eyed children if something is not soon 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


71 


done; and oil, wliat will be come of them 
when left to the mercies of a drunken father 
and cold-hearted world. I really enjoyed my 
visit to the Everts’ hut yesterday and feel 
like repeating it again to-day.” 

Uncle Henry straightened himself up and 
a feeling of anxiety was depicted on his 
countenance and his dark eyes glowed as if 
with heavenly radiance which already indi- 
cated an affirmative answer before he had 
time to elucidate his thoughts on the sub- 
ject. 

“Kemember the poor, help those in dis- 
tress, feed the hungry and clothe the naked, 
are sacred injunctions as revealed by the in- 
spired scribes of ancient times, and we are 
duty bound to honor and respect them,” 
said uncle Henry, and coninued, “I see no 
reasonable excuse for deferring this matter 
any longer; you know that procrastination 
is the thief of time, therefore it behooves us 
to be up and doing, as the days are of brief 


72 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


duration, and to-day is rapidly being meas- 
ured by the swinging of time’s pendulum, and 
eternity will soon smile on another day’s sub- 
straction from time. The voice of the suplient 
poor, beseeching those of affluence to aleviate 
their strained abilities by a mere pittance, 
should receive an immediate responce from 
the rich or well-to-do citizens of any commun- 
ity. What is it to be poor? What to be hun- 
gry, yea, even starving? What to freeze from 
a lack of sufflcient fuel and clothing? Who 
can portray, or even imagine such a scene as 
this? And yet, we have the reality, and none 
but they who sulfer, can imagine it truly. 
Since you narrated to me, on my arrival last 
evening, the sadness of the event disclosed 
to you yesterday, my heart has given a sym- 
pathetic responce to It, and I long to render 
them assistance as early as possible. Just 
imagine such a scene, how horrifying within 
itself. Three poor little bright-eyed urchins, 
in the habiliment of rags, looking, as they 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


73 


expressed it, ‘‘for Criss,” and their poor 
mother sutfering, if not dying from the neg- 
lect of a brutal husband and father. How 
many tears has her sad, broken heart caused 
to stain her pillow, no one can compute. 

Ah, when we remember she is a good 
Christian; she has many stones of remem- 
brance along her pathway of life, that are 
memorials of Providence’s love, and now from 
the depth of her troubled soul, her cries as- 
send heavenward, and answer will come. 
“The Spirit of the Lord” will lift up His 
standard, and victory will come. 

The invalid ladies husband, oh! where is 
he! Ah its sad! In an unguarded moment 
he was superinduced by his ravenous appe- 
tite to indulge in the use of strong drink, 
until he was, temporarily, a bedlemite, and, 
during his absence of reason he committed 
the crime, hence his enthrallment by the law. 

His heartless example should be a warning 
to others, but it will not effect them in the 


74 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


least. We have been talking here too long 
and loosing time: I shall order a livery rig 
immediately, and we will first go to the 
grocery and provision store and procure a 
goodly number of eatables and replenish 
their scanty stock.” 

Uncle Henry was not long securing a livery 
steed, and they were soon off on their mis- 
sion of charity and love, after visiting the 
grocery and store. They drove up quietly 
to the hut, for fear of exciting the poor sick 
lady. Mrs. Means knocked for admission 
which was soon granted her, and was heartily 
welcomed. 

‘ You seem much improved in health since 
our visit yesterday,” said Mrs. Means, “ your 
countenance is expressive of a more cheerful 
heart than yesterday too.” 

Before Mrs. Means could say more, the sick 
woman burst into tears and said:— - 

“Ah, dear lady it’s bad enough yet. See 
those little children there? I would like to 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


75 


be spared for their sake. Some how we are 
having Luck in Disguise, and I am exceed- 
ingly anxious to understand this matter per- 
fectly, as there is an enormous expeuce at- 
tached. 

Some kind and loving benefactor has fur- 
nished a physician for me, and he refuses to 
explain maters, or enlighten me in the least, 
and will only say in reply: ‘‘Take my medi- 
cine as I direct and you will be restored to 
health again,” and his medicine is helping 
me continually; and not only are we having 
Luck in Disguise, in a medical sense, but, we 
are daily in receipt of a great many valuable 
articles, such as groceries and dry-goods, and 
I am anxious to know who the donor is.” 

Mrs. Means smiled and refused to enlighten 
her also, as to whome it was. She put her 
off with the remark: — 

“ I am glad for yo]i, Mrs. Everts, that you 
are enjoying such Luck in Disguise, even if 
it be somewhat mystified to your mind.” 


76 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


The sick lady was so overcome, she covered 
her face with her hands and sank back on 
her pillow and wept. 

“ Weep not, dear lady, God is a merciful 
father and he will take care of you and your 
children, in all your troubles.” 

“Oh,” said the invalid lady, “there’s a 
little history connected with my life that 
you are unacquainted with. I can give it to 
you briefly — and— well— ” Mrs. Means inter- 
rupted her by saying: — 

“ My husband’s brother from Nebraska is 
with me, and he is very much interested in 
your welfair too. I would like for him to 
hear also. By the way, we have the pleasure 
of presenting you with some Christmas pres- 
ents, which we trust will do you much 
good.” 

They began carying in the tea, coffee, 
sugar, meat, flour, etc., etc., and a lot of use- 
ful dry goods, until they had completely 
filled a table and a small bench besides. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


77 


Then Uncle Henry gave the sick lady a five 
dollar gold piece. Mrs. Everts could say 
nothing but “ God bless you both.” 

Having at last conquered her excited emo- 
tions and gained her controlling powers, she 
continued her history as follows : — 

“ When I was a girl, I enjoyed all the lux- 
uries of common life; at the age of sixteen I 
began teaching school and continued in that 
profession until my union with a young man 
by the name of Samuel Everts and who is 
my husband to-day. 

“ He was one of the most beautiful young 
men I ever saw in all my life; in fact 1 wor- 
shiped his bright eyes and lovely face, and 
he was so industrious too. He worked hard 
and made lots of money and, if he had any 
bad habits I never heard of them. After we 
had been married over one year, the family 
was increased to three, the little stranger be- 
ing a nice plump and beautiful boy baby : W e 
called his name Samuel, for his pa. Mr. 


78 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


Everts was too proud of liiiu and was never 
too tired, wlien lie came from liis work at 
night, to take a romp with baby before lie 
asked for liis crib, to go to sleep in. At the 
age of one year, he took the brain fever, and 
after lingering one week, his little angel 
spirit winged its flight to Him that gave it. 
I really thought my husband would go mad, 
for he acted so strangely, and in one week 
from baby’s death, he came home staggering 
drunk and he has since kept it up. Did you 
notice that flne two-story house with iron 
fence enclosing a small front yard on the cor- 
ner above here? This was ours two years 
ago, but it went for liquor. All my efforts 
to redeem him wer vain. I spent several 
years in the school room and saved my 
earnings and, with what little he could 
raise, we invested it all in this flnc property 
and had it clear of any and all encumbrance ; 
but now both property and money are gone, 
save this old hut, which is in my name and 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


79 


shall remain so as long as I have life in my 
body.” 

After Mrs. Everts had finished her sad 
story, uncle Henry gave her some excellent 
Christian advice which closed that day’s visit 
at the Everts’ hut, and they felt satisfied 
with their morning’s work. They returned 
home and, after they had dined they ar- 
ranged for the Christmas-tree, the exercises 
for which were entrusted to uncle Henry and 
he was never known to shrink from duty. 
The four boys were the committee on secur- 
ing and arranging the tree, which was previ- 
ously done in good taste. Estella and her 
ma also took a prominant part in the ar- 
rangemts but Mary, the servant, was given 
the honors of arranging and marking the 
presents and securing them on the tree. No 
one knew what was on the tree for them but 
the giver and Mary, until their names were 
called out, and the gift received. It was as 
they intended it, a surprise. Not one of tho 


80 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


family had access to the tree since they be- 
gan to burden it with gifts. Mary carried 
the key of the parlor, and took charge of and 
arranged the gifts according to her own good 
taste. 

Everything being in readiness, Mary un- 
locked the door and they all marched in, and 
seated themselves around the room and uncle 
Henry proceeded to read an apx)ropriate 
lesson from the bible. The distribution of 
the presents were then in order. Believing 
Mary the best hand for to hand out the gifts, 
as she arranged them on the tree, she was 
unanimously elected and she filled her office 
admirably well. It would be useless and 
consuming too much time to attempt to 
enumerate the list of presents given on that 
occasion. It was simply immense. The can- 
dies, toys, nuts, novelties and valuable arti- 
cles made the children’s hearts leap with joy. 
Some of the articles of great worth were as 
follows: Uncle Henry gave Henry a hand- 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


81 


some gold watcli, partly on account of liim 
being called Henry. Uncle Henry gave them 
all something, even to Mary. Mrs. Means 
received a handsome bible, Estella, Ella and 
Mary received from uncle Henry each, a new 
dress, Joe. was given a purse containing a five 
dollar gold piece and Stanley and. Willie 
each received a pocket-knife and some spend- 
ing money. Mrs. Means also remembered 
them with precious gifts. She gave the three 
girls each a fur cape and new dress and other 
miner articles, while the boys were remem- 
bered with a new hat each. From the boys 
conjointly, Mrs. Means received a very hand- 
some cloak and the three girls together pre- 
sented her with a $25 set of furs. The scene 
was then closed by uncle Henry, in a few 
valedictory remarks: 

“Yesterday” said he, “our hearts were 

made sad while contemplating the situation 

of the poor Everts family, and yet we were 

made to rejoice, at the same time, when we 
6 


82 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


thought of our willingness and ability to help 
them in their poverty and how greatful they 
were to be helped. In this we have seen the 
old adage varified, which reads : “ It is more 
blessed to give than receive.” Having dis- 
charged our Christian duty, in helping those 
in distress we were better prepaired to enjoy 
our home amusement. Amen. 


LUCK liS^ DISGUISE. 


83 


CHAPTER YL 

“There is sometliing sublime in the re- 
turn of the New Year. Its announcement 
seems to incite our very being to action and 
merriment. Our last years vows are renewed 
and new obligations taken or made ; our lives 
are reconsecrated anew, and we begin a new, 
a holier life. We look about us and lo! our 
hearts are made sad again by the unoccupied 
space once filled by those dear and near to 
our hearts, but whose precious spirits have 
passed into the eternal space beyond.” 

Thus spoke uncle Henry on the morning 
of the New Year after family worship had 
been participated in. They all seemed to ap- 
preciate his brief little talks very much, but 
Joe, who would much rather his uncle had 
indulged in smart sayings or read some fairy 
tail instead of the bible lessons he would 


84 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


select and read. As we liave said before, Joe 
is not such a bad boy as the reader might | 
imagine, but he is chuck full ” of life and 
fun and bible lessons are too dry for him. 1 

New Year’s day was one of beauty and ^ 
splendor; a little cool, yet very clear and 
bright all day. The sun seemed to shine 
with unusual splendor and everybody seemed , 
to be infused with a spirit of alacrity and 
true jolity. Indeed the streets of Chicago 
were a scene of spirited commotion from 
early dawn until an unusually late hour at 
night. During the day the poor Everts fam- 
ily, were remembered by uncle Henry and 
Mrs. Means, in the bestowing of gifts. They 
have made frequent visits to Mrs. Everts 
since Christmas, to inquire after her health 
and administered to her unavoidable necessi- 
ties each time. 

We are happy to inform the reader that 
Mrs. Everts is convalescent, and on New 
Years day, she was permitted to be up and 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


85 


to enjoy a sumptuous repast at her own 
table, with her husband and children, and in 
the morning of said day, i,e,^ the first day of 
the new year, Mr. Everts affixed the name of 
Samuel Everts, in a bold and unmistakeable 
hand writing, to a temperance pledge, and 
on his knees he asked God’s forgiveness for 
his past insults and violations to and of his 
most holy laws. He arose from his knees 
and embraced his wife and children, impres- 
sing a kiss on each of their cheeks, while the 
tears of repentance flowed freely from his 
eyes, and the tears of unspeakable joy traced 
each other over the troubled face of his in- 
valid wife. Mr. Everts made many encourag- 
ing promises to his wife and uncle Henry and 
Mrs. Means. 

Uncle Henry and Mrs. Means returned 
home again with light, cheerful hearts, feel- 
ing their mission liad been one of profit and 
love. 

“ If that poor man redeeins himself and re- 


86 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


mains true to liis solemn obligation, as he 
promised God, on his knees he would do, it 
will be a marvelous act indeed,” said uncle 
Henry, on their return home, “ but,” he con- 
tinued, “ all things are possible if God wills 
it. No man or woman can fall so low in the 
scales of morality to defy God’s power to 
redeem him and bring him back again.” 

Mr. Everts is a skillful workman and com- 
mands the highest wages paid for the best 
mechanical work, when not drinking. In 
fact he is a natural genius — can do most any 
thing he undertakes. The only thing nec- 
essary is to place the material, for the con- 
struction, at his command and then tell him 
what you want and in a very short time you 
can have the desired article, providing he 
keeps sober. He “ turned over a new leaf ” 
and went to work at his trade, on the second 
day of the new year, and has so fortified his 
obligations to abstain from any and all kinds 
of liquors, with resolutions and pledges, that 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


87 


he could not be induced to touch much less 
drink it. 

The stability of his will-power will be put 
to a test, no doubt, unless he severs his as- 
sociations from those of his former kind and 
should he fall again, he will, no doubt, be 
forever lost. 

We will now leave Mr. Everts, for the time 
being, and return to the Means family. 

A letter was recently received from Mr. 
John Means, who is in Boston, which an- 
nounced his intentions to return home the 
first of next week, which- is a little premature 
by one week or so. The production of the 
letter for uncle Henry’s perusal, brought out 
the first unpleasant look on his countenance, 
as well as keen, cutting words, since his so- 
journ with them. It was ascertained upon 
investigation by Mrs. Means, that Henry had 
disclosed the glad tidings of uncle Henry’s 
visit with them, which was an open violation 
of uncle Henry’s inclinations, fearing it 


88 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


would detract much from his enjoyment with 
uncle Joe. 

“ He will come since he has the forbidden 
information, there is no alternative for it 
now. I have a great mind to telegraph him 
to remain his full time, and beat the young 
man in such tricks,” said uncle Henry in a 
semi-scornful voice. 

Henry scanned his uncles countenance 
closely as he uttered these words, at the same 
time exibiting a regretful look as well as that 
of indifference ; the union of these two obsti- 
nate expressions seejned to express a feeling 
of surprise and disgust with Henry, although 
he said nothing just then. Joe’s sympathies 
were with Henry and in rather an impudent 
way he responded saying: — 

“ I can see nothing criminal in the action 
at all ; it was done mainly through respect 
for you, uncle Henry and Ella, knowing that 
pa would appreciate your coming to see us 
very much, but, on the contrary, if you don’t 


LI CK IN I>I8GUISE. 


89 


want to see him, cause him to remain where 
he is.” 

“ We do want to see him badly ” said uncle 
Henry and Ella in unison. 

“ But,” said Ella, “ the superfluity of the 
act may be summed up in these words: We 
contemplate remaining here an unlimited 
time, and will not return home until we have 
fully enjoyed our visit and seen all of your 
family, if it takes all summer, and your pa is 
on limited time, having told you he would 
return in three or four weeks. We long to 
see him very much and can wait his coming 
very well, and should he remain his full time 
at uncle Joe’s, we would have but a few days 
longer to wait. I am really sorry this un- 
plesentness has happened.” 

Mrs. Means listened to the drift of the 
conversation nervously, and fearing the ten- 
d-ency of their talks might prove dileterious 
to the acquired affections of Henry for his 
uncle and cousin, and, in consequence of 


90 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


which he may object to making his western 
trip, so she remarked : “I am quite sure J ohn 
will not care, no doubt he has been homesick 
long ere this, and if he is not homesick, we 
are exceedingly anxious to see him, and he 
has been from home long enough for once 
any way. Now all get your books and lets 
have some more good music, .similar to last 
evening, which was hard to beat.” 

Ella and Estella are superb singers and 
Henry has a natural bass voice, yet not an 
expert at reading music. He is like many 
musicians of to-day, knows enough to think 
he knows it all. The music never sounded 
grander and the enchanting strains rang out 
in the most harmonious concord and in ap- 
proved rhyhm. The unplesantness was soon 
forgoten and never again resurrected by any 
member of the party. 

The next morning many commiserate re- 
marks relative to Mary were indulged in by 
all of the inmates. It seems as though, prior 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


91 


to this, no thought was ever indulged in rela- 
tive to Mary’s over-worked condition. They 
all enjoyed the delicious feasts she spread 
for them three times a day, never stopping 
to thing what a wearisome task it was to do 
so. Mary was not cognizant of the intense 
sympathy her wearried and troubled counte- 
nance had engendered in the hearts of those 
she served. So great were their sorrow, they 
became compassionately tender toward the 
poor girl, and Ella and Estella attired them- 
selves in proper clothing and entered the 
kitchen to do service under Marys most ex- 
cellent supervision; but she met the girls 
with a sweet smile, and insisted on being left 
alone in the kitchen. Her request was not 
granted, however. The girls went to assist 
her and they remained with her too. Their 
presence somewhat flustrated Mary, having 
never been accustomed to having help, but 
Ella was no slouch in the kitchen, as she 
was raised to work in that capacity, but Es- 


92 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


tella knew nothing about work of that kind 
as it was never required of her by her parents. 
Ella was indeed a great help to Mary, as she 
could do anything in that line, but Estella’s 
room was better than her company to Mary 
and Ella, yet they allowed her to remain to 
gratify her. The day passed plesantly and 
each successive day thereafter, the girls re- 
paired to the kitchen and assisted Mary 
about her work and, by so doing, Marys 
work grew lighter and she could find time to 
enjoy the society of the girls each day. 
The daily repetition of Ella and Estella’s 
kitchen work gave the latter much valuable 
information and, as she learned to do the 
work correctly she learned also to like it, and 
became quite eager to learn all about it. 

On Tuesday of the next week John Means 
returned home from Boston, bringing many 
valuable presents for each one. It was 
amusing to see . the twin brothers meet. 
Uncle Henry and John embraced each other 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


93 


as lovingly as would a young benedict his 
newly made bride. When John Means left 
home for Boston, he bade no one adieu, not 
even his much loved wife, but he made up 
for it on his return, as he gave them all an 
ardent embrace. They had many things to 
narrate to him, but if he apprehended them 
all intelligently, they must one talk at a 
time, for they all kept their tongues going 
at once, which is enough to confound the 
sensibilities of the strongest minds ; however, 
it is one of women’s natural propensities. 

Evening came and they were all seated 
around a bright fire, eagerly listening to uncle 
Henry and their father talk on the different 
topics, especially of their boyhood tricks and 
adventures. Uncle Henry narrated a rather 
myrthful incident as follows : — 

Do you remember, John, when we were 
quite young, that when in a game of ‘hide 
and go seek,’ in an effort to conceal myself 
from the seeker, I endeavored to force my 


94 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


body into an old cliurn, mucli too small for 
me and I was soom forced to conclude that 
the maker of that article had badly missed 
my measure, and excited beyond emotional 
controll, I yelled lustily, which soon brought 
me assistance. I could neither get in nor 
out. Some of my rescuers layed hold on me 
while others managed the churn ; I perspired 
freely all the while. Some one remarked 
that it is beyond their strength without doing 
great damage to the boy, meaning me of 
course. This increased my excitement and 
anxiety, and I began to put forth an extra 
effort to extricate myself from my perilous 
condition. I was boiling over with perspira- 
tion, for I imagined my time had come, for I 
could not see any avenue for to escape ulti- 
mate ruin. A cooper near by, at work, was 
summoned who relieved me by removing the 
hoops from the churn. Indeed I was so 
weak from the nervous shock and fright, 
that I did not recover my strength again for 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


95 


several days. I was as white as a piece of 
paper and looked as though all my blood had 
been extacted from my veins. I soon came 
to the wise conclusion that churns were not 
intended to be used that way.” 

Tlie evening was plesantly spent and they 
all retired, feeling that they had their full 
share of enjoyment of another New Years 
day. 


96 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


CHAPTER YIL 

“ My trip to Boston can better be imagined 
than described,” said Mr. M. as the family 
circled about him one cold stormy evening. 
“ I could not do the subject justice,” contin- 
ued he; ‘‘uncle Joe and aunt Mary live in 
grand style, as only millionaires can do. 
Uncle, you know, is a banker and owns a 
large interest in two or more railroads. He 
scarcely knows his worth. They were not 
looking for me, as you know, and conse- 
quently did not go to any extra trouble for 
me; and I could judge pretty accurately 
from their table, etc., when I first went and 
after I had sojourned with them a short time 
that their every day living discounted our 
extra occasions, both in style and extra qual- 
ity of provisions. Servants ! I never seen nor 
heard of the like before. The quarter of his 



‘‘directly over the buttons, were the words in ivory letters 
‘hot water and cold water/ ’’—chapter VII 




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LUCK Iisr DISGUISE. 


97 


number of servants would bankrupt me in 
a very short time with our limited means. 

Before going to uncle Joe’s I imagined we 
possessed great riches, but, like the peafowl, 
when I seen how helpless I was financially, 
when compared with uncle Joe, my feathers 
fell. We think we have fine property, and 
we have too, and our house is richly fur- 
nished, if we don’t compare our* possessions 
with uncle Joe’s. Oh, how I wish I could 
command language sufficient to do my sub- 
ject justice. My trij) cost me nothing but 
the loss of time.” 

“ What ! ” said Mrs. Means, did I not see 
you purchase a ticket at the depot before 
boarding the train here? ” 

‘‘ Yes,” replied Mr. Means, but uncle Joe 
l)aid it back to me again, with interest, not- 
withstanding. I objected to it and took it re- 
luctantly, and when I was about to make the 
return trip he presented me with a first class, 
through ticket, paid my cab fare to the depot 


98 


LUCK IN' DISGUISE. 


from liis residence and accompanied me also. 
Every place we went in or out of the city, it 
was at his expense, for he would not have it 
any other way. Had I notified him a fort- 
night before I started for his house, he would 
have sent me a free pass.” 

‘‘ He certainly must be a good man,” said 
uncle Henry, since you have given us such 
a brilliant aifcount of our good old uncle, I 
feel as though I would enjoy a visit to him 
too, and expect to, some time, if I live long 
enough, and times get better.” 

“Yes, father, go, and take me along, I 
would love so much to see Boston, I know 
one thing certain, if you get the notion once 
in your head to go you will never let up 
untill you do go,” said Ella. 

Uncle Henry laughed at Ella’s remark and 
said: “ Ella seems to have a good oppinion of 
her old father. W ell, to tell the truth, I am 
endowed with an extra amount of firmness 
not congenial with most persons, and, if there 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


99 


is any thing I detest, it is one with a dormant, 
slothful disposition, with scarcely energy 
enough to eat when they are hungry. I want 
to see any one get up and go, if they have 
anything to do, and do whatever there is to 
do with a willing heart, and show some busi- 
ness.” 

“That’s me too,” said Mr. John Means. 

“ ^Yhy should’nt I have a good oppinion 
of you father?” said Ella. “I have lived 
under your training many long years and 
think I certainly have a right to know you. 
No one can be more firm than you are, father. 
I learned one thing to a certainty, when you 
promised my back a little ‘peach oil,’ I 
always got it.” 

“ Well, Ella, we must let up on our non- 
sense as we are infringing on your uncle 
John’s little history of uncle Joe. We would 
like to know more about it,” said uncle 
Henry. 

“Uncle Henry,” said Mr. Means, “if you 


100 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


conclude to go to uncle Joe’s, write him and 
you will receive a free pass by return mail. 
He is quite eager to see you, for when Henry 
wrote me that yon were here on a visit, he 
said he would be so glad to see you and 
wished you could have been there with me. 
I wish we could have visited him together.” 

“ I possess a mind too lofty and independ- 
ent, John, to beg my way, by allowing him 
to send me a free pass,” said uncle Henry. 

So you would consider that a disgrace? ” 
said Mr. Means. 

‘‘Yes, under the circumstances,” replied 
uncle Henry. 

“ I suppose then, I may consider myself 
disgraced, although I feel no compunction of 
conscience on account of it,” Mr. Means. 

“Ho; your case is a different one from 
what mine would be. You did not write to 
him for a free iDass as you directed me to do.” 

“You are too sensative Henry, I would 
suppose you would look at this in a different 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


101 


light. Uncle Joe is immensely wealthy and 
you and I are his only heirs, so he told me 
when there, and why not allow the old man 
the privilege of enjoying such gifts during 
his stay on earth. True, we will get it when 
he’s gone, but, I want him to enjoy the giv- 
ing while here,” said Mr. Means. 

“ Oh,” said uncle Henry, is that the way 
it stands? With uncle Joe’s estate annexed 
to ours, where would we stand in the finan- 
cial circles of this country. I don’t begrudge 
him his wealth, and hope he may live many 
years to enjoy his millions. I have enough 
to carry me through.” 

‘‘ You would not object to him bestowing 
his wealth on you, father? ” said Ella. 

‘‘ Oh, no, certainly not, but let’s drop this 
subject. John, tell us more about uncle Joe’s 
home. Does he live in the main part of the 
city?” 

“No,” responded Mr. Means, “he does not 
live in the city, but in a beautiful mansion 


102 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


on tlie outskirts of the city, to which is an- 
nexed 200 acres of excellent productive land. 
The entire faim of 200 acres is almost as pro- 
lific as any well cared for garden, and is ; 
free from briers and weeds and no accu- 
milated debris is permited to remain out 
of place. He has an overseer that is fond of { 
labor himself and, with the large amount | 
of helpers, the farm is kept sandpapered, so ^ 
to speak. ! 

Uncle does not bother his head about the 
farming at all. The man he has to oversee 
his farm has been with him for twelve years 
and gives perfect satisfaction, — he has been 
delegated the power to hire help and dis- 
charge worthless laborers and fill their places 
with better. As I have said before, he has a 
large amount of laborers whose duty it is to 
feed stock, milk, attend the crops, garner in 
the feed, etc., etc., and business is just run 
like clock work. U ncle’s house is constructed 
of fine white marble, trimmed in, and orni- 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


103 


mented with richly clouded marble, and 
stands forth in majestic grandeur. It is two 
and a half stories high and is most luxuri- 
antly furnished in the best. No poor fami- 
lies live any ways hear uncle, as this is occu- 
j)ied by the affluant business element of the 
city. For their special beneht a trak was 
laid, sometime ago, for street-car accomoda- 
tions, and uncle can stexD on the cars at his 
front gate and off again at the door of his 
bank. Uncle Joe and the wealthy business 

I men of this part of the city are the principle 

; stockholders in the street railway of the 

1 

I f city. Seeing is the only correct way to form 
an idea of what his true worth and situation 
is, as it can’t be described satisfactorily in 
I words.” 

J One need not become lonesome nor home- 
sick while at uncle Joe’s, as there are so 
many peculiar and attractive things and ob- 
jects in and arround his residence to amuse 
and instruct the eye. There are numerous 


104 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


fountains and waterworks of every conceiva- 
ble shape and kind, on his lawn, and they 
seemed to be perpetual as no part of them 
ever stopped their flow or action unless some 
parts of them were out of order, and the two 
men assigned their management soon adjust 
the disabled parts and they are soon set in 
motion again. Hot and cold water pipes run 
through every room, from cellar to attic and 
one can have access to them by simply pres- 
sing on a small button. Directly over the 
buttons are the instructions in ivery letters. 
Hot water,” over the other, Cold water,” 
and one need not make any mistakes in se- 
curing the kind wanted. I told uncle Joe 
that he had everything arranged so conven 
ient it was calculated to make one lazy. 
Anything you might want could be obtained 
without scarcely any effort on your part to 
get it, and one could not have enough exer- 
cise of body, to keep up a healthy circulation 
of the blood. But, one can have all the ex- 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


105 


ercise he wants if only he will. There is, in 
another part of his prenises, a shady, well 
cared for spot where one can engage in a 
game “ Cricket,” “ La Cross ” and other ball 
games. As old as uncle is he enjoys the 
sports as much as any of them — his jimp 
make up backed by his energy renders liim 
an expert at all the amusements. He also 
has a gymnasium where he can amuse one 
i for an hour at a time with his athletic exer- 
I cises. He is as nimble as a frog — you would 
I be surprised at his dexterity. He also has 
' bathing pools and bath houses for either sex 
I and everything is arranged for pleasure and 
I comfort about the prenises.” 

Well, well,” said Ella, “ your little speech, 
uncle John, has completely captivated me. 
I want to go to see uncle Joe more than ever. 

I Father can’t we go this spring? ” 

I ‘‘ AVho said you was going with me Ella? ” 

' said uncle Henry laughing. ‘‘ I have made 
up my mind to go some time, if I live, but 


106 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


can’t leave this spring, as this will be a very 
busy spring Avith the farmers.” 

“ I would advise you, by all means, to go 
some time,” said John Means. 


LUCK IX DISGUISE. 


107 


CHAPTER yilL 

“ I WILL tell you, uncle Henry, why I am 
so anxious for Henry to board with you next 
summer,” said Mrs. Means, as slie and uncle 
Henry were alone, with Ella, one morning in 
the parlor. “ I fear the society into which 
he is naturally drifting will eventually prove 
detrimental to his good morals, if not ruin 
him, for liquor, I believe, will do this in a 

very short time and ” 

“ What ! ” interupted Ella, “ does Henry 
qualf from the madening bowl? ” 

“ I have every reason to believe it is only 
too true,” returned Mrs. Means, “ and, that is 
not half, although it alone is bad enough,” 
she continued. 

“Well,” said uncle Henry sorrowfully, “I 
believe he could not go to a better community 
than that in which I live. I wish he might 


108 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


go and remain a year or more, I shall do 
what I can to retain him, when once we get 
him out there.” 

“How about John, we must first convert 
him to our arrangements, since he has not 
given his consent, as yet,” said Mrs. Means. 

“ Oh, we can talk it into him,” replied Ella. 

Uncle Henry laughed at Ella’s remark and 
said: “Yes, Ella is right, let a woman de- 
mand a thing and man may as well surren- 
der. I will help to ‘ talk it into him,’ as Ella 
has it. We will read him the law to-night, 
when we become settled from all business 
cares and make this a new and special busi- 
ness, and give him to understand that we 
mean business and that he must be subser- 
vient to our requirements. We will allow 
Ella to introduce the subject in a round 
about way.” 

“All right,” said Ella, “ our plans are all in 
proper shape now, if only his propensity be 
favorable to them.” 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


109 


“Liquor! liquor! Oh, how I detest the 
name,” said uncle Henry, and continued; 
“ it has ruined thousands of bright, beautiful 
youths who would have made their mark 
in this world for good, had it not been for 
the curse of strong drink. Sarah, will you 
explain what you ment by saying that 
liquor was not half? I would like to know 
it all.” 

“ Oh ! uncle Henry, my heart has been big 
wdth sorrow, almost beyond endurance, and 
my eyes were nightly suffused with tears. I 
was so troubled I did not know what to do, 
so, I most wisely, therefore, resolved to sup- 
plicate Divine protection and guidance and 
to enter into covenant with God. In this, I 
found relief. I believe the plan for Henry’s 
western trip was brought about in answer to 
my earnest prayers. I prayed for some 
means for Henry’s redemption from the 
pending ruin.” 

“What!” said Ella, “what do you mean? 


110 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


Let US know the worst, as you have very 
greatly excited our curiosity.” 

“ Be patient Ella, and you shall have the 
rest,” said Mrs. Means. “ Not far from here,” 
she continued, “is a large family of young 
ladies, by the name of Scroggins. Their 
parents are both dead and the girls do sew- 
ing for a living, which is no disgrace, what- 
ever. The girls have a bad reputation for 
missleading young men and even boys like 
Henry. They have repetedly induced Henry 
to enter their home and retained him until a 
very late hour, and I fear he is acquiring a 
knowledge of card-j)laying and learning to 
drink and other vices, under their training. 
It has worried me so much that I feared 
sometimes my reason would be dethroned. 
It may not be so bad as I imagine and I hope 
I am mistaken.” 

“Just at this point they were interupted 
by Mary, the servent, who came to announce 
dinner. The morning had winged its flight 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


Ill 


with unusual velocity and dinner was not 
thought of yet, for their minds were com- 
pletely engrossed in their plottings. They 
did ample justice to the occasion and eat 
their meal with a relish that seemed unnat- 
ural. Mr. Means seemed to be full of jolity 
and fun, and just as they were wishing in 
their minds that he would continue thus 
jubilant until their night session, when they 
could “read him the law,” as uncle Henry 
has it, Mr. Means addressed his son, Henry, 
saying: — 

“I suppose after next week shall have 
slipped into eternity, we will have one vacant 
chair at our table. What day do you think 
of going, uncle Henry?” 

“We would like to start on Wednesday 
or Thursday at most, as it will require about 
two days to go. Do you think that will give 
you ample time to get Henry ready for the 
trip? ” 

“ Oh, I don’t supioose it will require much 


112 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


of an effort to get liim ready. He can come 
to the store and select his clothing required 
all ready made, as we keep them constantly 
in stock. I have not heard what arrange- 
ments his mother has made or wishes to 
make.” 

Mr. Means then returned to the store again 
and not until then did Mrs. Means return to 
the dining-hall, as she was feeling badly. 

On entering the dining-hall, Mrs. Means’ 
face was lit up and cheerful looking, and all 
smiles, and they all had a good hearty laugh 
over their mystifyed success. All their plot- 
tings were useless to them now. 

“ I was completely dumbfounded at John’s 
remarks at the table,” said uncle Henry, “ as 
it was so unexpected to me. I knew he had 
been asking a great many questions relative 
to our climate, the country, the society etc., 
but said nothing regarding Henry’s going 
home with us. What has come over him all 
at once? It seems that all the good deeds 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


118 


. done in this country are wrapped up in much 
mystery.” 

“ I feel like I would make a good Metho- 
dist this evening. I feel like shouting, glory ! 
glory! glory! This is what I call ‘Luck in 
Disguise.’ Wonder if Aunty did’nt work 
this case up for us? If she did she shall 
have a nice new dress sure. It is settled, 
Henry can and will go. I hate to give him 
up, but believe it is for the best.” 

“ Uncle John lifted a wonderful weight off 
my mind, when he indulged in that most 
welcome conversation at the dinner table,” 
said Ella, “ as I have been planning and 
plotting all the morning, how to introduce 
the subject, as I had been assigned the unples- 
ant task.” 

The two women, alone in the parlor, were 

enjoying the results of the morning hugely. 

After Mrs. Means had finished her remarks, 

she advanced toward Ella, grasped her hand 

ardently and then in each others embrace, 
8 


114 


LUCK IN DISC4UISE. 


they Avej)t tears, not of sorrow, but of rejoic- 
ing and joy. A burden had been removed 
from their aching hearts. While Ella and 
Mrs. Means were in the hottest of their re- 
joicing, the door opened and in stepped uncle 
Henry, much to the women’s surprise. 

“Hello! what does all this mean?” said 
uncle Henry. ■ 

“ Don’t ask such a question as that j)a, for, , 
how can we help rejoicing? ” said Ella. 

“A mill-stone has been rolled otf my heart, 
and I feel so light and happy,” said Mrs. 
Means. 

“ While leisurely strolling down street, 1 
thought of your remark relative to ‘Aunty 
working up this case for us,’ and I could not 
get the consent of my mind to go any further 
so, I turned round and retraced my steps 
here again. Aunty might have been instru- 
mental in bringing this thing about, but, the 
hand outstretched in prayer, is a hand lean- 
ing upon the arm of a covenant. Although 


LUCK IX DISGUISE. 


115 


Aunty might have been the instrument 
used to bring it about. Let’s give God the 
glory and make no mistake.” 

“ You are quite right, uncle Henry, I had 
not thought of that. We learn from holy 
Bible, that ‘God uses the weak things of 
this world to confound the mighty ’ and, it 
may be that the all wise Ruler has selected 
Aunty to bring about this reform, in answer 
to my prayers.” 

Uncle Henry then proposed singin, “ Praise 
God from whom all blessings How, etc.” 
They became so unusually boisterous in their 
singing and rejoicing that Aunty, sui:)posing 
they were having a religious service of some 
kind, stole noiselessly into the room and 
seated herself on a chair near the door. She 
was soon noticed and made the centre of at- 
traction. They all gave her the right hand 
of fellowshij). 

“Bress de Lor,’ fur sich a metin’,” said 
Aunty. “ Ize gwine to tell you folks Ize on 


116 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


de Lor’ side and haint been in sich a meetin’ 1 
fur years.” - 

“Aunty, did you know Henry was going 
home with us, next week? ” said Ella. 

“ Bress your soul chil’, I done knowd it 
long ago.” 

“ How long ago Aunty? ” said Mrs. Means. 

“ Mor’en a week I ’spose,” replied Aunty. 

“ How does it come you have kept it a se- 
cret all this time? said Mrs. M. 

“ You see I give massy John a good talkin’ 
to, and pinted out the great harm he was 
doin’ to Misseff, by not letin’ Henry go to 
uncle Henry’s, and he teld me to say nothin’ 
’bout it and he would let him go.” 

“ I thought. Aunty, you was instrumental 
in bringing this about,” said Mrs. Means, “ I 
have obligated myself to get you a nice new 
dress for your noble work. Here is my hand. 
Hope you may live long, die happy and be 
saved.” 

They all again shook the good old lady’s 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


117 


hand and she was so over come that she 
shed tears of joy. 

When evening came, ey were all seated 
around a bright, cheerful fire, narrating inci- 
dents of other days. The program adapted 
for that occasion had been rendered useless 
and cast aside. 

Mr. Means presented Henry with a nice lit- 
tle package, saying: — 

“ Take this to your western home with you, 
and use it to the best possible advantage.” 

‘^What does it contain, father?” asked 
Henry. 

“ It is yours, look, my dear boy and ask no 
questions,” returned Mr. Means with a myrth- 
ful expression on his countenance. 

“ Henry very carefully opened the pack- 
age and counted out $200.00. 

“ Many thanks father, but what do you in- 
tend me to do with it? ” asked Henry. 

“ Oh,” said Mr. M., I am the donor and 
you are the donee. It is optional with me 


118 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


what you do with it, only I would advise 
you to put it to good use. Above all my 
son, don’t squander it in drinking and gam- 
bling. 

“ Drinking and gambling ! I am surprised 
at such a remark, father, as I don’t know 
the taste of liquor and cannot positively 
name more than two cards in a pack.” 

This was encouraging news to Mrs. Means 
and quickly replied : — 

“ I hope this is true Henry. If you want 
to bring me to a premature grave, just prac- 
tice one or both of these two vices and you 
will succeed.” 

“ Mother ! mother ! how your talk surprises 
me: had I the slightest intimation that the 
best friend I have on earth held me in sus- 
liicion I would certainly go mad. Believe 
me, dear mother, for I speak truthfully when 
I affirm that I have no knowledge whatever 
of either of the vices.” 

Mrs. Means arose and went to Henry and 


LUCK IX DISGUIvSE. 


119 


embraced and kissed him saying : ‘‘ I believe 
you dear boy, hope you may continue in 
ignorance of them.” 

“ Indeed mother I shall never taste, touch 
nor handle them. I promise you on honor, 
can you trust me, mother dear? 

“ Trust you Henry, of course T can. I con- 
sider you a moddle young man. Hope you 
may always live a truthful, sober and honest 
life,” said Mrs. M. 

“I have been thinking, deeply thinking, 
and yet, I find myself in a quandary to know 
why you are all so anxious to get rid of me by 
sending me away with uncle and Ella. I am 
certainly not such a bad boy as to merit such 
cold treatment from those I love so dearly 
and whose society I enjoy above all others.” 

“ Poor boy, I really pitty you indeed I do. 
I am sorry you misapprehend this affair. It 
is for your own good Henry, that we are anx- 
ious for you to go, that you may see some- 
thing of this world, and not be continually 


120 


LUCK IIS' DISGUISE. 


cooped lip in this one city where yon can 
know nothing of the outer world. I think I 
would embrace such an opportunity gladly 
and esteem it a great honor bestowed on me. 
What do you know about fruit grow in, only as 
described in picture and print? ” said Mrs. M. 

“ I do not knoAv uncle Joe, and neither does 
he know me,” said Henry, and I fail to see 
the propriety in him saying — ‘it would be 
the making of me,’ to go on the proposed 
western trip. You will remember pa wrote 
this home to us while he was in Boston, and 
what did he mean anyway? ” 

“Well, Henry,” said Mr. Means, “I am 
sorry you have a disposition to censure our 
good old uncle for an innocent remark, in 
which there is not the slightest harm. I was 
boasting, if you must know it all, of your 
richly cultivated mind and what a fine scholar 
you were etc., and then told him that your 
ma was anxious for you to rusticate with 
your uncle Henry, during the hot weather.” 


LUCK IX DISGUISE. 


121 


“ Oil, is that all? ” said Henry, “ I have mis- 
construed his expression. I believe I would 
like to go too.” 

‘'You can come to the store to-morrow, 
and select some clothing to suit you,” said 
Mr. Means. 

The next day Henry visited his father’ s 
store and selected two tine suits as directed, 
and while Henry was securing his clothes, 
uncle Henry and Mrs. Means made their final 
vist to the Everts home and returned again 
bringin glad tidings. Mrs. Everts is able to 
attend to her domestic affairs and her lius- 
band has been true to his obligations. 

Wednesday of next week was the day set 
to start for Nebrask and all hands were 
busily engaged getting ready for the final 
day. Henry seemed in good spirits now and 
longed for the time to come when they 
should start on their journey and his mother 
felt as though she had won a victory at last, 
and brought on Luck in Disguise. 


122 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


CHAPTEH IX. 

Rap! rap! rap! was heard at the front 
door the next morning about 9 o’clock, and, 
before the signal could be answered by Mary, 
the door-bell rang, indicating much haste in 
the intruder. Mary soon answered the sum- 
mond and reported, on her return that Mr. 
Sharp, the druggist, was in waiting and de- 
sired to see Henry on a little business. 

“Business! business! what business do 
you suppose the old whiskey bloat can have 
with Henry? I shall find out, or know the 
reason why. I shall forbid Henry even pass- 
ing the time of day with the old rascal. I 
will go and see him myself,” said Mrs. Means. 

Trembling with excitement, she arrose 
from her chair and with difficulty, made her 
way to the front-door and opened it and was 
soon confronting the object she detested so 
much. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


123 


“What is wanting, sir?’’ was the saluta- 
tion she gave him. 

“ I wish to see your son Henry, on a little 
business,” was his reply. 

“ My God ! what business can such a man 
as you, sir, have with my son, I would like to 
know? Does he owe you anything? 

“Please, maddam don’t address me so 
abruptly — 1 am a man of prominance.” 

“A man of prominance, indeed sir, your 
very looks clearly indicate to the contrary. 
Judging from the hundreds of human wrecks 
you are making yearly out of our young 
men, you are indeed prominant in Satan’s 
harness, and nothing more.” 

“Maddam, you slander me; do you know 
the penlty? Don’t you know I occupy a 
very conspicuous position in one of our lead- 
ing churches of this city? I am a S. S. Su- 
perintendent, Trustee, etc., and yet, you 
would brand me a villain. I warn you, be- 
ware.” 


124 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


“ Sir, you know I speak the truth, when I 
denounce you a publick villain, an inch by 
inch murderer. A worse calamity could not 
be thrust on a church and no sin so excruci- 
ating to religious worshipers as you are, in 
the position you occupy. I declare further, 
endeavoring to weigh my words as one that 
must give an account, I would rather be the 
man you place in the gutter than yon, in 
your busines, dealing out death and distruc- 
tion to the young and using the church for a 
cloak, to hide your iniquities.” 

‘‘Woman, you are dementated. and know 
not what you say, I did not come here for 
a lecture, I simply came to see Henry.” 

“No, sir, my mind was never sounder and 
better then now ; as to my lectures, they are 
free. You have failed to enlighten me — I 
asked if Henry was in debt to you? ” 

“ Is your son in, I wish to see him?” said 
the druggist savagely. 

“ When you answer me directly and cor^ 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


125 


rectly, I will then answer yon, sir,” retorted 
Mrs. M. 

“ What else do, or can you infer from my 
remark, that, I wished to see him on busi- 
ness?” 

“ You have acknowledged then, indirectly, 
that Henry really owes yon some money. 
Will you do me the kindness to state the 
amount, as I want him to settle all just 
claims against him before he departs.” 

“My claim against him maddam, is $5.00.” 

“ So much as that? ” 

“ Yes, maddam.” 

“ I can’t understand why he is in debt to , 
you one cent,” said Mrs. M. 

“ Oh, he and 1 understand each other per- 
fectly,” said the druggist. 

“Yes, I suppose so. You had better see 
his pa and explain matters,” said she. 

“ My dealings are npt with his pa but with 
Henry alone.” 

“ Oh, sir,” said Mrs. M. ringing her hands. 


126 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


“ your impudence will drive me mad. I de- 
mand that you explain matters to me here 
now. How dare my child do a thing he 
would be ashamed to tell his mother, who is . 
his best friend.” ^ 

Does your son necessarily have to explain i 
every thing he does or says? ” j 

“Ho, not everything, yet he should not be i 
guilty of any thing he would be ashamed for | 
his mother to know.” 

“I disagree with you there, as boys of 
Henry’s age will engage in innocent ‘ pass- i 
times,’ such as a social game of cards, and i 
perhapse bet a small amount of money on ? 
the game, of course he would not care about I 
you knowing it, especially if he is the . 
looser, yet there is not particular harm in it 
Lady.” | 

“ Did you not say a short time ago,” said , 
Mrs. M., “ that you was a man of prominance, 
a S. S. Superintendent, a church Trustee, etc., ■ 
and yet you have the cheek to stand before 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


127 


me an uphold anyone in the practice of such 
vices?” 

“ I did. Convince me where in an innocent 
game of cards are wrong.” 

‘‘ Oh, man ! though you be a watcher and 
guider of precious human souls, your in- 
structions means eternal death. You are 
doomed to the ‘ bottomless pit,’ of Perdition, 
as you deserve to be. To a sensible man, an 
argument in favor of cards and other gam- 
bling being a gross, outbreaking sin and an 
insult to God, would be useless indeed. I 
would not know where to begin to prove 
card playing a gross evil, as it is wrong from 
beginning to end.” 

“Are you sure your son is not an exj^ert 
card-player, and would you object to him 
playing a quiet, civil game, just for amuse- 
ment? ” 

“ I have his word for it sir, that he does 
not know one card from the other, and I be- 
lieve him, though you may testify to the 


128 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


contrary. I should object to him even look- 
ing at gambling cards, much less touch or 
handle them. 

“Since you are so sanguine in the inno- 
cence and perfection of your son, I will in- 
form you maddam, that $2.00 of the $5.00 
that is justly due me from your son, is bor- 
rowed money, actual cash, that I loaned him.’ 

“ What for? ” said she. 

“ To bet on a game of card playing,” was 
the reply. 

“Great heavens! a S. S. Superintendent 
loaned my son money to encourage him in 
gambling? Can it be possible that my son is 
an impostor? I shall take no stock in your 
remark, until I see further.” 

“Very well, just as you like about that, 
maddam.” 

“ I suppose the other $3.00 you would say 
was for liquor,” said she. 

“ That is correct, maddam.” I 

“You are a fine specimen of humanity, in- 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


129 


deed. You set your vile frame up as an 
example for the young, claiming to instruct 
them in divine things, on Sabbath day and 
the other six days you deal out death and 
damnation to them, doing six times as much 
to eternally mine and banish the celestial 
jewell, than you do to save it. Churches 
are too lenient and easily pleased with such 
rascals as you are. It is the cash they realize 
from you that encourages them to retain you 
in office, and ministers will compromise with 
Satan, by smoothing over and covering up 
your crime for fear of loosing the few dollars 
you pay for their support, and protest against 
an investigation of your crimes, thereby, not 
only jeopardizing the souls of others by per- 
mitting you to hide under the Christians 
cloak, but, endangering their own souls as 
well. I am of the opinion that a man in the 
drug business should not have any ruling 
power in a church, as they will almost invar- 
9 


130 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


iably, sell more liquor than anything else as 
there is not a living in drugs alone.” 

“ I have told you all maddain, will you an- 
swer me according to promise? Is your son 
Henry in? ” 

“Ho, sir, he is out in the city somewhere. 
Your claim is not a just one, if it is as you 
have represented it to me. I shall protest 
against him paying all such bills as that. Do 
you understand the situation? I also de- 
mand that you immediately leave these prem- 
ises and never set your unholy feet on them 
again, under any circumstances whatever.” 

“ Maddam, I go as you suggest, but, let me 
first say — your son honestly owes me the 
amount I have specified and he shall pay it 
or I shall do my worst, and he will .” 

Mrs. Means gave two or three piercing 
screams and swooned away on the floor. She 
lay there as quiet and motionless as though 
inanimate. Uncle Henry and the family hear- 
ing her pitiful cry, as if for help, rushed to 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


131 


tlie scene, as did also a policeman who ha]3- 
pened to be passing by. A large crowd soon 
met upon the scene. 

The girls, Ella and Estella, could not be 
appeased, but kept up screaming — ‘‘Oh! 
mother! mother! he has killed you, what 
shall we do — how can we give her up, etc. ? ” 
. Mr. Sharp hastened away as fast as possi- 
ble, but was soon overtaken by the Policeman 
and arrested and lodged in the station house. 

A physician was summoned to investigate 
Mrs. Mean’s case and, upon investigation said 
— “ my patient has unfortunately received a 
severe blow on the side of her head and, I am 
not sure but that her skull is pretty badly 
fractured. She is very weak from a loss of 
blood and I think will soon rally again. 
Every thing must be kept very quiet as she 
will be very nervous and easily excited, when 
she regains conscienciousness.” 

As soon as help arrived, Mrs. M. was taken 
from the floor and placed on a bed in her 


132 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


room, where she will be kindly cared for. 
Thus, in a very short time, a happy home, a 
home of rejoicing was turned to mourning. 

The policeman who caused Sharps’ arrest, 
after turning over the prisoner to the author- 
ities, returned to learn more about the case. 

“Is the lady much disabled?” asked the 
Policeman. 

“ The doctor says she received a very severe 
blow on the side of the head and he is afraid 
her skull is badly fractured,” said Uncle 
Henry. 

“ I told the prisoner I seen him strike the 
blow, yet he will insist that he never struck 
the lady at all. I told him he would have to 
face the music as my eyes did not deceive me 
and his denial was gauzy.” 

“ Did you see what he struck her with? in- 
quired uncle Henry. 

“ Yes,” said the policeman, “ it was a very 
heavy hickory, and loaded, at that.” 

“ I wish you had have retained it for testi- 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


133 


mony aganst him,” said John Means, who 
had just heard of the aifair and come to see 
about it. 

“ I have it secured in the Clerk’s office and 
will bring it forth in due time,” said the 
policeman. 

“ Don’t you think Sharp was intoxicated,” 
inquired John Means. 

“ His breath was strongly perfumed with 
whiskey, yet he knew everything and tried 
to argue with me that he was innocent and 
that lie only had the cane across the back of 
his neck, and, when I thought he did the 
striking he w^as only lowering the cane from 
his shoulder to the ground. The mark on 
the side of the lady’s head condemns him 
sure.” 

“ I mean to see the fullest extent of the law 
in this case, sure as I live,” said Mr. Means, 
as he paced- the floor in great excitement. 

You are right about that, I would make 
it hot for him if it was my wife. No doubt 


134 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


but lie will endeavor to get off on a plea of 
drunkeness/’ said tlie Policeman. 

“ That will not work, you bet,” said Mr. 
Means. 

Signs of life had returned to Mrs. Means, 
yet she knew nothing at all. 

Mr. Sharp Avas released on $500.00 bail 
and had to keep himself concealed as public 
sentiment against him was waxing hot as the 
news spread. Strong talk of linching him 
was agitating the minds of the infuriated cit- 
izens and, to show himself to the Means 
family would mean death. 

Henry returned home soon after the ex- 
citement occurred and was very much worked 
up on account of it. When he ivas informed 
that he was the principle cause of it all, he 
remarked: — 

“ The old villain ; I don’t owe him but 25 
cts. That was for two cigars and one cake of 
soax). I would not have been in his debt that 
much but, in changing garmants before going 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


135 


down in town, I neglected to change my 
pocketbook and hence, had ho money with 
me, and had the articles charged to me.” 

“He said yon borrowed $2.00 of him, as 
near as I could catch the remark to your ma, 
to bet on a game of card playing,” said Uncle 
Henry, “ and the other $3.00 was for liquor I 
believe. Now, this was the way it sounded 
to me, when I eavesdroped.” 

“ The old scoundral lied : I never was in 
debt to him but 25 cts. in my life. Jack 
Jones borrowed $2 of him one night to bet on 
a game and in a joking way, after he had 
secured the money, he asked me to go his 
security and I said all right, and he also 
treated the boys to $3 worth of drinks same 
night.” 

“ Now, is that coirect Henry? ” said his pa. 

“Yes, pa, it is correct. I can’t see why he 
should come on to me for the money when 
Jack is good for several times that amount. 
Had I owed it, he would have been deprived 


136 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


of the painful duty of running me ‘down to 
collect it,” said Henry. 

“ Have you settled for the cigars and soap 
yet?” demanded his pa. 

‘‘Yes, I suppose about the time he was 
here abusing ma this morning, I called into 
his drugstore and cancilled the account. The 
clerk said nothing about me owing for any- 
thing else and that was the time. I told him 
I called to settle.” 

“Well, Henry, I was indeed surprised 
when I heard the report,” said his pa, “ you 
know you positively told us you did not 
know but two cards in a pack and did not 
know what liquor tasted like. I hope you 
reported truthfully.” 

“ Father, father, do you doubt my state- 
ment? You understood me correctly: I said 
it, and I reaihrm, calling God to witness my 
sayings, that I know nothing at all about the 
taste of liquor and know but two cards in a 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


137 


pack. Oh, believe me father, I would not 
tell you a lie, no, no.” 

“ I believe you Henry. I never knew you 
to tell a lie in your life and hope you never 
will. I would advise you to allow him to 
collect the $5.00 from Jack Jones or lose it. 
Never make or pay a gambling or liquor debt 
my son.” 

“ Don’t give yourself any uneasiness about 
me gambling or drinking, father, as I have 
had ample opportunities to learn them both 
and have spumed them all.” 

“I can’t see why you allow yourself to 
congregate in such a detestible den as he is 
said to keep any way.” 

“ You see, father, every young man, and 
lady too, have their associates — I have mine 
too, you know, and they will go in this drug- 
store occasionally in order to pass the time, 
and of course I accompany them, in order to 
enjoy their society. This is natural and 
easily understood. This man is well named 


138 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


— he is pretty sharp, as he is always throw- 
ing out inducements to draw and trap the 
young.” 

“You should spurn this man Sharp, as 
you would the most venomous reptile. His 
society is poisonous and dangerous,” said Mr. 
Means. 

“ That is straight goods, father, I am frank 
to admit, yet, you must remember and con- 
sider without levity, that boys are boys and 
will do many things they should not do. I 
have always looked upon Sharp as a very 
bad man. 

“ Your arguments as all very good Henry. 
Will you promise me one thing and that is — 
never to be found in the society of such a 
man again?” 

“ With all my heart father, I do promise 
this.” 




AS TO HENRY DRINKING, I NEVER KNEW HIM TO PUT A DROP OP LIQUOR 
IN HIS STOMACH."’ — CHAPTER X. 





LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


139 


CHAPTER X. 

Ella addressed a letter to her mother, in 
Nebraska, telling her all about the brutal 
treatment her aunt had undergone and in- 
formed her that they would not start for 
home until her aunt was out of danger, and 
the affair was adjusted in perfect satisfac- 
tion. 

In company with uncle Henry, Henry 
called at the drugstore of Mr. Sharp and de- 
manded of the clerk, an explanation — why 
he was charged with $5. and what for, call- 
ing on uncle Henry as a witness to all they 
said and done. 

“What do you mean Henry, you called 
sometime ago and settled your bill? ” 

“ Will you please explaine to this gentle- 
man here with me how much my account 
was and what for? said Henry. 

“Certainly; but what’s up? There is some- 


140 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


thing unusually the matter— I can’t under- 
stand.” Turning to Henry’s account he said; 
“Here is your account in black and white 
and it is only 25 cts., being for cigars and one 
cake of soap.” 

Turning to uncle Henry, Henry remarked : 

“ Is that satisfaction uncle Henry? ” 

The drug clerk became very much excited 
and thought there was a move on foot to 
bring him to accounts for some of his per- 
verse actions. The affair was a current topic 
yet, the young drug-clerk was infuscated on 
the subject or, he seemed to be very ignorant, 
however. 

“Well,” said uncle Henry, “I can’t under- 
stand about this $5. business. Mr. Sharp 
claimed that Henry, had borrowed $ 2 . in cash, 
of him and owed him $3. for drinks. Will 
the clerk please explain how this is? ” 

“AYell, stranger, I suppose you are a de- 
tective,” replied the drug-clerk, “and you 
have come to the wrong place as Henry 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


141 


Means was never in debt to this house but 
25 cts. in his life and that is settled. As to 
Henry’s drinking, I never knew him to take 
as much as one drop of any kind of liquor 
into his stomach and he never has even 
treated anyone else to it either. -He has fre- 
quently bought peanuts, candy, cigars, water- 
mellons and chewing gum to treat the boys 
and always took the same in returning the 
compliment. If he ever borrowed $2. of Mr. 
Sharp, I never heard of it, and I am satisfied 
you are laboring under a great mistake.” 

“Where is Mr. Sharp?” said uncle Henry. 

“Well, as the boys call it, ‘he is off on a 
bender,’ and has been drinking pretty hard 
for some weeks. There seems to be gieat 
trouble on his mind and, I tell you sir, I don’t 
like the movement of things arround here. 
Everything is wrapped in mistery.” 

“ Is it possible,” said uncle Henry, “ you 
are ignorsfnt of what has happened? You 
are badly mistaken when you brand me a 


142 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


detective. I am no detective and am not 
working up any case.” 

“ I confess my ignorance. What’s up, any 
way?” said the drug clerk. 

Since you seem to be in darkness on the 
subject, I will not go into details, but simply 
state for your benefit, that Mr. Sharp called 
at Henry’s fathers a day or two ago and said 
he wanted to see Henry on business and, in 
the conversation he said Henry was in debt 
to him $5, for borrowed money and drink 
account, and Mrs. Means, I guess, preached 
his funeral and he. Sharp, struck her on the 
head with a loaded cane: he was arrested, 
gave bail and is running at large. Mrs. 
Means is still unconscious. He will get the 
fullest extent of the law, for his folly.” 

I am at the first of the trouble,” said the 
Clerk, “ yet, I knew by his actions he was a 
guilty man. Your object then, was to find 
out if the $5 was a just claim or not, I sup- 
pose, was it? 


LUCK IX DISGUISE. 


143 


‘‘That is why we have called,” replied 
uncle Henry. 

“ Well, I am here to tell yon it is false. The 
old man must have been crazy drunk. He has 
been so cross and overbearing of late, that we 
can scarcely get along with him. A man that 
will strike a woman ought to be prosecuted.” 

Henry addressing the clerk said : “ I can’t 
account for that $5 business only in one way 
—you remember one night, that Jack Jones 
borrowed $2. from Mr. Sharp and booked $3. 
worth of drinks and, after Jack had secured 
the money to bet on a game of cards, in a 
joking way, lie asked me if I would go his 
security and, not thinking he meant what he 
said, I replied all right. Don’t you think I 
am correct?” 

The clerk then turned to Jack Jones’ ac- 
count and there he found it in black and 
white: 

To Cash, loaned Jack Jones, $2. 

Liquor, ” ” $3. 

secured payment by Henry MEANS; 


144 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


“That explains it all,” said the clerk. 
“ You are a fool Henry,” continued the Clerk, 
“if you ever pay Jack Jones’ account for 
him, under such circunstances, as he is 
amply able to pay many times that amount 
and never miss it either.” 

“You are right,” said Henry, “it will be 
a cold day in July when I pay any liquor or 
gambling bill. I don’t indulge in either of 
them and will not countenance them, much 
less encourage them by contributing my lit- 
tle cash.” 

“That’s right,” said uncle Henry, at the 
same time patting Henry on the shoulder, 
“ that is right my lad, stick to that, it is a 
good resolution. I never thought you guilty, 
yet, as you was so willing to prove your in- 
nocence I felt it my duty to assist you. I am 
perfectly satisfied now.” 

After thanking the Clerk for his trouble 
and information they bid him adieu and re- 
turned home again. They were pleased to find 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


145 


Mrs. Means much improved and conscious, 
tlioiigh very helpless and nervous, as the 
doctor had told them she would be when she 
recovered. Henry advanced to his mother’s 
bedside and inquired after her health. She 
opened her eyes and looked him in the face 
and said : “ Henry, is it possible that your 
waywardness has brought your poor mother 
to this state of affairs?” 

“No, no, mother dear, I am not guilty,” 
and he was completely overcome by choking 
sobs: he sank down on the floor and gave 
utterance of his grief in boisterous crying. 
Uncle Henry requested Mrs. Means to be 
quiet and dismiss the subject from her mind, 
as she was too weak to weary her mind with 
it, at the same time he informed her that he 
had made an investigation of Henry’s case 
and found him as innocent as a babe. This 
satisfied Mrs. Means, as she had great confi- 
dence in uncle Henry’s word. 

, Uncle Henry and Henry had not been 
10 


146 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


from Sharps’ drug store more than one hour 
when a messenger boy entered the store and 
handed the clerk a note which read as fol- 
lows: 

“ Chicago, Ills., 

To Henry Meads, Esqr. 

“ Sir: As soon as you master the contents 
of this missive, you will do me the kindness 
to lock up the store securely, and call on me 
at my place of residence, as I have some bus- 
iness of importance to disclose to you. I 
fear I am a ruined man Henry, and desire 
your counsel and advise. Please destroy this 
as soon as you read it and tell its contents 
to no human being. Yours truly, 

Joseph Sharp.” 

The missive read, the clerk secured the 
doors of the drug store and made haste 
toward the residence of Mr. Sharp and there 
he found his employer in the second story, 
walking the floor and his countenance was 


LUCK IX DISGUISE. 


147 


the picture of distress — he had such a wild, 
crazy look. 

As soon as Henry Meads entered Sharp’s 
room, the first thing he said was : 

“ Is she yet alive, Henry? Oh, don’t tell 
me she is dead, I can’t stand the shock.” 

“To whom do you refer, Mr. Sharp? said 
Meads. 

“ I refer to Mrs. Means, that poor, weak 
mortal, that I am charged with an attempt 
at murder. You certainly don’t read the 
papers— they are full of it.” 

“ Indeed ! It is a strange case. Everyone 
seems to know something about the affair 
but me. Henry Means and his uncle called 
this morning to make an investigation rela- 
tive to that $ 0 , you said Henry owed you and 
I could not find but 25cts. against Henry, on 
the books.” 

“Oh, pshaw! don’t you know he went 
Jack Jones security for $2 borrowed cash, 
and $3. book account, for liquor? I tried to 


148 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


i 


collect the amount from Jack and he sent me j 
to see Henry Means. I heard Means was a 
going to go West so I thought I would go 
early. I had better have sacrificed the $5.” 

'‘Are you guilty? Did you strike the lady, ' 
Sharp?” said the clerk. 

“No; I am not guilty, and did not harm 
her, unless my talk did. If I should prove 
in court that I am not guilty, and the court J 
declares me innocent, 1 am a ruined man any | 
way it goes. My business influence is gone; ' 
my religious and moral influence gone also. 

“What, then do you propose doing? I v 
trust your case is not so bad.” 

“ Some months ago, you will remember, 
some of the hot-headed temperance people 
of Chicago, got their cash together and tried 
to buy me out, but, they struck me in the 
wrong time— my business was too prosperous 
just then. Now, I want you to call and see 
Major Ross, as he was the leading one in the 
gang, and have him call and see me as soon t 

c 


LUCK IN DISCUISE. 


149 


as possible. If I can sell immediately, I will 
skip before the day set for trial. The Police- 
man, who arrested me, will swear, he saw me 
strike the lady, because he happened to be 
looking toward me just as I was lowering my 
cane from my shoulder to the ground, and 
the lady screamed and fainted at the same 
time. Now, if, Mrs. Means will also swear 
that I struck her, my cake is dough. If she 
is a woman that prides herself in her verac- 
ity, she cannot be induced to swear that I 
struck her or laid the weight of my fingur 
on her person.” 

“ The case all hangs on Mrs. Means veracity 
then,” said the clerk. 

“ That’s right. If you hear any talk about 
me one way or the other, tell me.” 

‘‘All right,” said the clerk,” “ shall I attend 
to the this business immediately and do you 
expect me to inform the Major why you 
solicit his presence? ” 

“ Here is $10; now, attend to it as soon as 


150 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


it is possible and tell no man, not even the 
Major, what I want with him. I wish to do 
all the talking myself. If yon ever did any- 
thing in a hurry, do it now,” said Shaip. 

“Well, I am off now, for the major’s,” re- 
plied the clerk. 

“ Good day sir. I hope you will do me 
good service, and tell no one,” said Sharp. 

The clerk took a straight shoot for Major 
Rosses residence and soon delivered his mes- 
sage. The Major was not very much elated 
over it, however, and, at first refused to go, 
as whiskey venders were beneath his notice. 

“ What does the old rascal want with me 
sir? ” inquired the Major. 

“ I can’t answer your question Major, as I 
am under promise not to.” 

“ Well, I suppose he wants me to go on his 
bond or, help him out of this scrape in some 
way,” said the Major. 

“ No; you are very much mistaken in your 
conclusions, Major. Go and see him as early 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


151 


as possible, and I will assure you, it will do 
you no harm if it does you no good,” insisted 
the clerk. 

“Well, I will go and see what he wants 
any way. I am quite certain he will be dis- 
appointed if he is expecting aid through me, 
on this Means scrape. He deserves to suffer 
for the meanness he has done in the past, in 
this city, and I would not turn my hand over 
to prevent it,” was the Major’s reply. 

“ You say then, you will go, and that soon ? 
eagerly insisted the clerk. 

“ Yes, I shall call and see him soon as I can 
go,” replied the Major. 

The clerk then left the Major’s presence 
feeling he had done his part, and done it 
well, for, had it not been for his persuasive 
arguments, the Major might not have went. 
Delivering the message alone would not have 
been any inducement for him to go, perhaps. 

Minutes seemed almost like days to Sharp, 
he was as restless as a fish out of water. He 


152 


LUCK IlSr DISGUISE. 


endeavored to kill time pacing, walking to 
and fro across the room. His actions were 
indicative of a dementated tendency and was 
growing to be allarming. The clerk returned 
to Mr. Sharp’s and informed him what the 
Major had said, and asked Sharp to recomend 
him as a worthy clerk, to attend the business 
of the store, which he, Sharp consented to 
do, and the clerk went home feeling pretty 
well over what had happened. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


153 


CHAPTER XI. 

The day for the trial of Sharp, for an at- 
tempted murder came at last and everyone 
seemed interested. The respectable people 
of Chicago were sanguine in the belief that 
Sharp .was guilty of the charge and were 
anxious that he be brought to justice, but 
the liquor bummers and men of bad repute 
were loudly declareing him innocent. From 
present indications, should the case go on, 
there will be a hot fight on eather side, not- 
withstanding the preponderance of testimony 
is on the side of the prosecution. 

Mrs. Means is only able to sit up and is 
perfectly rational. The lawyer representing 
her side, is one of the ablest in the state, 
while the defense has a weak corps of legal 
advisers, and young in both years and expe- 
rience. Sharp was a bad man and had been 


154 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


very annoying to the better class of citizens. 
He used the church for a cloak to cover up 
his meanness, simjjly because the church tol- 
erated him. Frequently complaints were 
made against him and every time the officers 
of the church refused to investigate his case 
because he, Sharp, would tell them he only 
sold liquor on prescriptions from M.D’s., in 
good standing and then, he made such a 
good S. S. Superintendent to. They imag- 
ined that his place could not be filled again 
should they loose him, forgetting that his 
business and influence together had a 'worse 
effect to do harm and send precious souls to 
perdition, than a half dozen preachers could 
overcome for good, in the saving of souls, 
etc. He had the confidence of the preacher 
and officers of the church. Well, when the 
case was called. Sharp was not there; the 
bondsman twisted and squirmed and became 
very much excited. They asked for an ex- 
tention of time until they could make an in- 


LUCK IN DISGUISK, 


155 


Vestigation as to his where-a-bouts — this was 
granted by the court and an officer dispatched 
to look him up and re-arrest him and bring 
him back for trial. 

This being the last case on the docket for 
that week, the judge adjourned the court for 
one hour and a half, believing this would 
give the officer ample time to make the in- 
vestigation and return. The officer first went 
to his drugstore and fount it in running 
order and the same old clerk behind the 
counter, but no bummers and stickers loung- 
ing arround. Those arrouhd the store had 
a sober, honest look and one could pass in 
and out of the building Avithout being 
knocked headlong by some staggering ine- 
briate. 

‘‘What has come over Sharp, that has 
caused him to make such a change about 
these premises? I have frequently passed 
here when the pavement was so crowded 
with staggering men, one could scarcely get 


156 


LTTCK TN DISGUISE. 


a past without being jammed terribly,” asked 
tlie officer of the Clerk. 

‘‘ Oh, ha, ha, ha,” laughed the clerk. “ Where 
have you been all your life Rogers. Is it 
possible you have not heard of Sharp selling 
out to Major Ross & Co. This is a strictly 
temperance drugstore now. You could not 
get liquor for love nor money unless you 
proved, beyond a doubt, you really needed it. 

“Well, it pays to run business on temper- 
ance principles if it has such a desirable 
effect. Well, this is immense. Look her 
clerk, can you tell me where I would be 
likely to find Sharp? His case was called up 
for hearing and he was lacking, so the judge 
gave us a little recess of hours to look 
after Sharp.” 

“ Well, sheriff,” said the clerk, “ I hardly 
know where to tell you to go. You might 
find him at home perhapse.” 

“ Look here Meads, 1 want no fooling in 
this matter as I am on limited time. I can 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


157 


see by your eye you are lying to me— you 
look guilty.” 

What interest would it be to me to report 
to you falsely?” said the clerk. 

“Sure enough unless he has bribed you 
not to give him away or, perhaps he has 
secured this position for you again if you 
would help him by not telling what you 
know. If you don’t tell me what you know 
about this matter I will arrest you for an 
accomplice in this matter.” 

“ Great heavens ! ” said the clerk, “ please 
sir, don’t get me mixed up in this matter. 
All I know about it would do you no good.” 

“Well, be quick about it sir,” said the 
sheriff, “ if I can’t get Sharp I must take you, 
if you don’t disclose to me the truth.” 

“Well,” said the clerk, “here is all I 
know about it several days ago Mr. Sharp 
told me he was not guilty and if Mrs. Means 
respected her veracity she would swear he 
never struck her, or ever attempted to, but. 


158 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


if she has no respect for truthfulness and she 
and the policeman both swear I struck her, 
the case will go hard with me. In view of 
the uncertainty in the matter, said Sharp, I 
propose selling out and skipping the country, 
and that is all I know about it.’’ 

‘^Are you sure that is all sir?” said the 
Sheriff looking him in the eye. 

Yes, quite sure,” said the clerk. 

“ Perhaps he has gone then, if your state- 
ment be correct. I shall go to his residence 
and inquire for him.” 

“ My statement is correct and I would be 
willing to make oath to it.” 

In the mean time, while the sheriff was on 
the lookout for Sharp, Mrs. Means’ lawyer 
held a secret conference with the judge, rela- 
tive to Mrs. Means’ deposition he had taken 
down just before the case was called for hear- 
ing, as she was not able to appear in person. 
She testifies under oath, that Sharp never 
struck her at all, but so frighteped her with 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


159 


his terrible treats against her son Henry that 
she became so deathly sick that she fell and 
struck her head on the door stop, and she 
never knew anything more until the next 
day. The Sheriff returned and reported, that 
Sharp had sold out and skipped the country. 
The Judge then assessed a damage of $100.00 
and costs. The sheriff went to work to try 
to collect the damage and cost and soon had 
the satisfaction of rei)orting a cash settle- 
ment for the entire amount. Sharp had left 
home, ’tis true, but left a large sum of money 
to pay damages and cost. It seems strange 
that no one seen Sharp depart from the city 
and yet, not so strange either when we con- 
sider that Sharp was known in Chicago as a 
middle aged man and in his disguise one 
would suppose him about eighty years old. 
Mrs. Sharp detested the sale of liquor and 
had frequently told her husband that the 
liquor traffic was unjust and money obtained 
in that way was ‘‘ illgotfcen gains,” and would 


160 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


do no good for those thus obtaining it. 
Mrs. Sharp and her family shipped their 
goods and selves in a few days, and the citi- 
zens all rejoiced when they heard that Sharj) 
had gone for good, as he had been a great 
annoyance to the city— misleading the young 
men, etc. One and all, of the respectable 
circles, declared that this meritorious move 
was certainly luck in Disguise. The bonds- 
man were all released after Mrs. Sharp had 
advanced the cash for prosecution and dam- 
age and they too rejoiced that everything 
turned out so encouraging. 

Mrs. Means improved rapidly and was com- 
pletely out of danger now. Fears were enter- 
tained that blood poison would be the result 
from the bruise on Mrs. Means head, but it 
healed up nicely and she thought in a few 
days Henry could make his proposed western 
trip. Henry, Ella and uncle Henry were all 
ready now, to start on a moments warning. 

Henry could not think of going West until 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


161 


his mother was able to be about again. Uncle 
Henry has set Wednesday, three days hence, 
to start for home providing Mrs. Means is able. 

Ella again announced the time to her nia, 
by letter, that her pa had set to start for 
home. Mrs. Means is more like herselfe 
again and is moving about the house in rather 
a lively mood and indulges in many jocular 
sayings that brings out many mirthful ex- 
pression on the countenance of the young. 
She claims the honors of closing out one bad 
liquor vender of Chicago, and doing good 
work for her country and God, even if it was 
at the peril of her life. 

We neglected to say that Mrs. Everts called 
frequently to see Mrs. Means during her late 
affliction, and, while she was so bad, Mrs. 
Everts remained up with her all night and 
administered to her wants. The poor lady 
felt under obligations to Mrs. Means for her 
timely assistance and kind administrations 

to her wants when she lay sulfering with no 
11 


U62 


LUCK IN DISGUISE, 


one to care for her or even sympathise with 
her. She not only owed her restoration to 
health again to Mrs. Means but, also the re- 
formation of her brutal, debauched husband 
from a drunkard’s hell, and reestablished a 
happy home for her. For all this she felt 
greatful. Mrs. Means is always found doing 
good for her fellowmen — giving alms, or in 
some way alleviating those in straitened cir- 
cumstances. 

Well, the day for their departure for the 
West, came at last and, as Mrs. Means seemed 
quite well again, they all three got themselves 
ready and went to the depot. A large crowd 
of young and middle aged friends met at the 
depot to grasp the friendly hand and pro- 
nounce the last farewell. Henry kept in 
pretty good spirits until his mother embraced 
and kissed him with the injunction — “ be a 
good boy and don’t forget your mother.” 
At these words Henry burst into tears as he 
boarded the coach. How many young men 
remember their mother’s behest to-day? 





‘‘they would be at his sides and all round him, so he could 

HARDLY PEDESTRIANIZE.**’ — CHAPTER XII. 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


163 


CHAPTER XIL 

Henry being the burden of our narrative, 
we will now leave the Means family at Chi- 
cago, and take our reader in imagination to 
the home of uncle Henry, and the present 
home of Henry. 

We will not attemp a detailed discription 
of uncle Henry’s fine residence and surround- 
ings — suffice it to say he has a beautiful t\ :o 
story frame dwelling and elegantly finished 
at that. The surroundings are superb. 
Henry was completely captivated with his 
new home at first sight and imagined farm 
life the happiest pursuit a man can follow. 
The almost innumerable flocks of sheep, the 
large herds of cattle and swine, horses, chick- 
ens, etc., occupied Henry’s thoughts so com- 
pletely that he could scarcely be induced to 
remain in doors. Uncle Henry had been 


164 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


noticing wliat an interest .he manifested in 
the stock, especially the sheep, so he thought 
one day he would help him to cultivate a 
taste for stock raising, by donating him some 
of the extra lambs, so he said : 

“ Henry, if you will accept and take full 
control of those five lambes in the stable, you 
can have them for your own. The women 
folks will furnish you all the milk you need 
for them and, besides these you can capture 
ten more and place in the pen with them, if 
you will make the selection from mothers 
having twins, take one and leave one with 
the mother. This will be a good start on the 
road to fortune. Now let’s see what you can 
make out of them.” 

“ I certainly would be very foolish to reject 
such a generous offer,” said Henry: ‘‘I most 
gladly accept the gift and will endeavor to 
manage them as profitably as I can under 
your directions.” 

Henry’s face was all smiles for several days 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


165 


and he felt as rich as though he had heired 
a thousand dollars. Day after day Henry 
fostered and cared for his little pet’s equal 
to any fostermother, and he and they became 
very much attached to each other — indeed 
too much so for Henry’s comfort, as he could 
not go in gunshot of them but what they 
would be at his side, and all arround him 
until he could scarcely pedestrianize at all. 

Uncle Henry seeing with what interest and 
delight he manifested in the care of his pets, 
concluded to add others, but not of a like 
species. This time his aim was to reward 
him for his dilligence in his new calling. 
Henry was not afraid to work, although he 
was not raised to it, and his inclinations were 
always free to the free exercise of his great 
strength. Uncle Henry always kept a very 
large herd of cattle, and the manufacture of 
butter and cheese were engaged in on an ex- 
tensive scale. 

In his herd were a number of calves that. 


166 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


from a lack of time to attend to them prop- 
erly, should they confine them as they ought 
to be, they were permitted to run with their 
mothers day and night, and consequently 
lessened their supply of milk. 

“ I don’t wish to enthrall your freedom or : 
overtax your energies,” said uncle Henry, j 
“ but, if you think you can attend to more | 
pets you are welcome to cage six of those j 
calves, until you have learned them to drink \ 
milk of their own accord, when you can turn 
them on grass.” 

“ You don’t mean to give them to me too, f 
do you uncle?” 

“Yes, they shall be your own, if you will 
take full charge of them.” 

Henry was very much astonished at his 
uncles extravagant gifts and could not un- 
derstand what it meant. With rather an ex- 
cited emotion he said : 

“Without compensation, uncle, for neither - 
sheep nor calves? ” , 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


167 


“ Yes,” said uncle Henry, “ yon are welcome 
to them— I Avonld rather not have the calves 
at all as to have them ruin the cows by con- 
tinually running with them. I ask nothing 
only that you give them the necessary atten- 
tion they will require.” 

The next day uncle Henry, his two sons, 
Charley and John, assisted Henry to sepamte 
the calves from their mothers, and Henry 
was as proud of them as though they were 
each worth a thousand dollars, and he and 
Ella learned them to drink milk in a short 
time. Henry arose early and retired late and 
was willing to do any kind of work there 
was to do. 

One beautiful morning in the latter part of 
March, uncle Henry told Henry he would like 
to give him a little private counsel, and after 
Henry had fed his pets, they both bridled and 
saddled a couple of horses and went over the 
farm. Coming up to a beautiful hedge fence 
of osage-orange, Henry remarked: 


168 


LUCK IK UISGUISU. 


Is this yours too? ” 

‘‘ Yes,” said uncle Henry, ‘‘ On either side 
of this fence belongs to me. Six years ago I 
purchased this one hundred and fifty acres 
of land, at a cost of $25.00 per acre, and have 
frequently refused $35 and $40 per acre for 
it. It has a good two story frame house and 
barn and other out buildings.” 

“Isn’t it a lovely location,” said Heniy. 
“ The soil too, how prductive it appears and, 
judging from the heavy yield, it don’t decei\'e 
its looks. You certainly got it very cheep 
indeed.” 

“Could I induce you to settle on this 
place?” quearied uncle Henry; “just speak 
the word and it shall be yours. It is not 
often one can just speak a fortune into ex- 
istance. Don’t you think you could stand 
$15 per acre with your own time to pay it? ” 

“ That is cheai> enough sure, but where is 
the money to come from I would like to un- 
derstand? ” 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


169 


“Do you see tliat stately mansion over 
yonder? its owner is among the wealthiest 
men of Nebraska. You can get several thou- 
sand dollars from him if you wish,” said 
uncle Henry, feeling assured he was making 
his point, much better than he had antici- 
pated. Henry looked his uncle square in the 
face, and a feeling of anxiety was depicted 
on his countenance as he said: 

“He would not let his money out to 
strangers unless he was well secured, and I 
could not blame him I would demand the 
same.” 

“But,” said his uncle, “I have a plan 
where by you can obtain all the money you 
may want, of him, without security. You 
must remember young man, he has as fine a 
girl as ever walked in shoe-leather. I hoi)e 
you catch my thought, Henry.” 

Henry was indeed no fool and did not 
require knocking down to take a hint. 
Laughing he remarked: 


170 


LUCX IN DISGUISE. 


“ Oh, yon don’t expect me to batch, provid- 
ing I purchase this farm. I think I am rather 
young to begin talking matrimony.” 

Let me say here, that Henry had seen Miss 
Kate Yorkley and was badly smitten on first 
sight yet, he did not want any one but his 
old friend^ Ella, to know anything about it. 
Ella was his adviser and secret counselor and 
she was also Miss Kate Yorkley ’s best friend. 
They were always together when they were 
not engaged at their work. 

Uncle Henry then told him of the many 
compliments passed upon him by the young 
lady and her father too, but, much of the in- 
formation had been disclosed to him, on a 
previous occasion, by Ella, and was not newst 
to him : it only affirmed what Ella had told 
him. He had not heard of Mr. Yorkley’s 
good oppinion of him and this was most 
welcome news. 

“ You can just put this farm down in your 
mind’s book of rememberance, as belonging 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


171 


to me. I will take it on your most liberal 
terms. I believe in getting the cage before 
the bird. Now, uncle, do your part. I shall 
consider you my affiencer, to help me through 
with this. I fear my ma and pa will consider 
this a wrong move and if they should hear of 
it, and object to the arrangements, I could 
not and would not disobey them. They have 
been so good and kind to me and I would 
not bring them down to a premature grave 
from grief. I would suggest that they be not 
advised of the affair until it is all over with 
and then their objections would come too 
late to avail anything.” 

“ You are very wrong in your conclusions, 
Henry, regarding your parents objection to 
the arrangements, under the circustances. 
You are not only getting the beautiful Bell 
of Nebrsiska, but a large fortune also, and 
they would be very foolish to object. I think 
they would do what they could to consumate 
the plan, if they understood the whole mat- 


172 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


ter perfectly. We will keep it from them 
though.” 

“You don’t get my thought uncle, I sup- 
posed they would consider me too young to 
take a helpmate, for, should I marry inside 
of a year I will not be 19 years old and I 
think myself that is too young.” 

“Never mind about the age,” said uncle 
Henry ; “ you have your growth and you are 
a man all but in years. That will be all 
right. 

That very afternoon Miss Kate Yorkley 
came over to spend the afternoon with uncle 
Henry’s family, or we might say with Henry, 
since she seemed to enjoy his society more 
than anyone else. Henry and Miss Kate 
became well acquainted with each other and 
I believe were both smitten. Henry and Ella 
went nearly home with her that evening and 
Henry made arrangements to call on her soon. 






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‘‘what is the cause of this unusual excitement ? ah! the answer 
SAYS— ITS love!”— CHAPTER XIII. 



LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


173 


CHAPTER XIIL 

One evening soon after Heniy’s arrival in 
Nebraska, he made a friendly call on Miss 
Kate Yorkley, he having been introduced to 
her some few evenings previous, at Uncle 
Henry’s home. Henry was not too young to 
love, in fact it would be a hard task to name 
the limit of “ pupy love,” as it is generally 
called. Henry’s affections had advanced be- 
yond the first degrees and had settled down 
to genuine busines. He determined the first 
time they met, that he would endeavor to 
effect an affiance contract with Miss Kate, 
at his earliest convenience and, to do this to 
perfection, there must be an initial effort on 
his part. The call, to which the readers at- 
tention is called was the test, or, the begin- 
ning of an anticipated betrothal, so far as his 
intentions were concerned. 


174 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


Henry Kring, a fine looking young man in 
the neighborhood, yet of very limited educa- 
tion, had been paying his respects regularly 
to Miss Kate. Henry had been advised of 
this fact by Ella, who kindly kept him j)osted 
on all subjects of interest and it had wearied 
his mind very much indeed. He wished to 
win the affections of Miss Kate and did not 
wish to incur the displeasure of her former 
suitor, if he was one. It might safely be said 
that Henry had the inside track, as Ella and 
Henry, assisted by uncle Henry, would bring 
about the desired results in their united 
efforts, for “ in union there is strength.” 

Henry enjoyed the society of Kate very 
much while there, and by the light of the 
moon they took a promenade down the road 
a short distance — comeing to a stump where 
a tree had been recently sawed down, they 
seated themselves on the stump to converse 
in solitude as they suppose, never dreaming 
that they were being shadowed. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


175 


“Miss Kate,” said Henry, “I have more 
than admired you since the first time my eyes 
beheld you. You would not object to me 
imprinting a kiss, to affirm my statement, 
would you? ” 

She being willing, Henry kissed her several 
times. 

“ I have also admired you very much, on 
first sight, and you are never out of my 
mind,” said Kate, when Henry again kissed 
her. 

All this time a dark shadow was concealed 
in a little clump of bushes a few feet in their 
rear and the conversation and actions were 
everything efee but pleasing to him, for it 
was Henry Kring eavesdropping. 

“I am told,” said Henry, “you have a 
suitor and it would be useless for me to ask 
peraiission to call regularly.” 

“ Henry Kring, I suppose was the name of 
the reported suitor,” said Kate. 


176 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


“ Yes, that is the name cousin Ella re- 
ported,” said Henry. 

“Well, I only look upon him as a friend 
and not a suitor at all. He calls occasionally 
and I respect him as a friend and nothing 
more.” 

“ Will you allow me the exquisite pleasure 
of calling on you once a week? ” 

“It is optional with you, but I am not 
worthy of the society of one so good and re- 
fined as you are. Your pleasure shall be 
mine.” 

“ I hesitated putting the proposition, f^-^3l- 
ing you too much my superior in goodness 
and refinement. With thanks for your kind 
allowance I would ask- you to name the even- 
ing that would suit you best? ” 

“ Let’s see; this is Tuesday evening. How 
would Thursday evening do? ” 

“I see,” said Henry, “you mean to say 
that I am at liberty to call every other even- 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


177 


ing, which will suit me. Any time you may 
fix will suit me.” 

“ Well then, I shall look for you on Thurs- 
day evening sure,” said Kate. 

Having completed the engagement to call 
on Thursday evening they arrose and re- 
turned to Mr. Yorkleys again. Henry Kring, 
who had consealed himself and heard all 
they had said, came out from his hiding place 
and was all nervous with excitement. He 
paced to and fro across the road, muttering 
to himself. 

‘‘ The rascal ! how I hate him ! I shall be 

compelled to put a spider in his dumpling. 

Let’s see; he is to call on next Thursday 

evening. Well, I will surprise the villain. 

I will go first and spoil all his expectations. 

I can report some scandal on him to Miss 

Kate. I have all day to-morrow to study out 

the disgrace. She only considers me merely 

a friend and not a suitor. I would not have 

thought Kate would have lied to me, for she 
12 


178 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


told me not many days before the Means 
scamp came to this country, that she loved 
me dearly. There is no use talking I’ll put 
him out of the road, I must do it, or, the 
first thing I know he will have Kate for his 
bride, and I am left. She must, she shall be 
mine. If nothing else will do, I will abduct 
her and take her on the extreme frontier and 
it will do them good to find her, you bet.” 

He became so enraged, as he considered the 
matter, that he mounted the stump on which 
the lovers sat, and he lay his hat down and 
stamped it viciously at the same time he 
clinched his teeth and hands like a mad man. 
What is the cause of all this unusual confu- 
sion and excitement? Ah, the answer says, 
its love. The two lovers parted at Mr. York- 
leys, with the j^romise to meet again at the 
stated time, and the rejected lover went his 
way also. As Miss Kate stood at the front 
gate on Thursday evening, arrayed in her 
most becoming costume, and looking as sweet 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


179 


as none but the bell of society could look, 
she was watching and waiting for her prom- 
ised guest. Soon a figure appeared in the 
distance and she though it must be Henry 
coming. Well, it was Henry but not the one 
desired most of all, it was Henry Kring. He 
road up and alighted and entered through 
the gate. 

“Ah, you are expecting me are you?” said 
Kring. 

“No; I had not thought of you to-day that 
I remember,” said Kate. 

“ Got a kiss for the poor boy? ” said Kring. 

“Don’t you know better than that? You 
know I never kiss the men.” 

“You don’t eh, never kissed this young 
Means eh?” said Kring scornfully. 

“You must be intoxicated, man. What 
do you mean? I say No,” said she. 

“No, I am sober — am never any other way, 
but I affirm you did kiss him and I can tell 
you where you did it too.” 


180 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


‘‘You are mistaken, man. I respect Mr. 
Means but did not kiss Mm.” 

“Where were you on Tuesday evening 
with him when he kissed you? ” 

Kate’s face Hushed and could not answer 
as she knew it was too true. She would 
rather he was some place else just then. 

“ Had you heard what a desperate charac- 
ter this young Means was? He did some ter- 
rible crime and came west to evade the law.” 

“ I have heard of nothing concerning him. 
Ho you know what he did? ” 

“ I did not hear the particulars, but he is 
guilty, all the same.” 

“ I think I perceive a little jealousy in you 
Henry. You know and so do I that Henry 
Means is a nice inoffensive young man and 
of good parentage. He promised me to call 
this evening and, if I thought for one mo- 
ment he was not an innocent man of any 
crime illegal, I would not entertain him.” 

Kate was in a quandary and stood perfectly 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


181 


dumfounded as she twisted and untwisted her 
apron string, for she knew what he said was 
too true. The question most x^rominant in 
her mind was, liow he knew so much, for slie 
was satisfied tliere was not a human being 
any ways near them. Again she thought, if 
he told the truth so perfectly about their 
kissing scrape, he could also have given her 
straight goods about Henry Means jumping 
the law to escape punishment for some terri- 
ble crime. She had determined to know the 
truth in the matter before she allowed him 
to return annother time to see her. 

“ How is it Kate,” said Kring, “ would you 
rather kiss a criminal than me, one who has 
always lived an honest, sober life and on 
whoes diameter there is no stain? I have 
always treated you with tlie greatest respect 
too.” 

“ Oh, Henry, hush, you will drive me mad,” 
said Kate. 

‘‘ You will have something to go mad for 


182 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


if you take up with that rascal, I am here to 
tell you.” 

“ Now, look here Henry, I shall investigate 
this matter to my entire satisfaction and if 
he is guilty I shall know it and — and — well, 
if this is a scheme of your own, prompted by 
jealousy to prevent our being friends and 
associating together, you will hear from me 
in a way you will never forget.” 

“All right Kate, you will see how it will 
pan out,” said Kring. 

“Hark!” said Kate, “he is coming now, 
we must drop this subject. I will give him 
something to think on, when I get him by 
himself, this evening. He shall know it all.” 

“Allow me to make one request of you 
Kate, before I go, and that is, don’t tell him 
where you gleaned your information.” 

“ I cannot promise that Henry, no never; I 
shall tell it all,” said Kate. 

“Well, be sure you don’t tell more than 
‘ all ’,” said Kring scornfully, as he turned to 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


183 


depart. Just as Kring had passed a few 
rods away, Henry Means road up and 
alighted. Kate was drying her eyes with 
her handkerchief, for she could not help cry- 
ing. Henry oifered a kiss, but she refused 
saying; ‘Hhere must first be an explination 
of a little matter.” 

“ What’s up now, I don’t understand you. 
If you can’t give me a welcome I shall return 
home again. I will not intrude on any ones 
happiness.” 

Saying this he turned and went in the 
direction of his horse, with the intention of 
returning to uncle Henry’s again. 

“ Come back Henry, I want to lay a little 
matter before you for your consideration. It 
is one of very great importance to both of us.” 

Henry returned reluctantly with the re- 
mark : — 

“ If you have anything derogatory to my 
charactor and good name let it be known, I 
can face a multitude of assailants.” 


184 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


“ I was told this evening you was a guilty 
man,” said Kate. 

Guilty of what, queried Henry. 

“ I can’t find out only, you are guilty of 
some crime, and came West to evade the 
law.” 

“ That is false, grossly false. There is not 
one word of truth in it. If you will give me 
time I will send to Chicago, and secure sworn 
statements as to my good name there. I can 
show up as good a charactor as any young 
man in any state. You need not take my 
word for it, but make the investigation until 
you are fully satisfied.” 

“I can’t believe it is true Henry. You 
have offered everything fair,’' said she. 

Yes, and I intend to back it up too, with 
affidavits, if I live.” 

“Who is circulating ruinous reports on 
me? ” continued Henry. 

“Henry Kring was the only one I have 
ever heard speak of it.” 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


185 


“Ah, you might have known there was no 
foundation to it. It is only the fruits of 
jealousy, you will find.” 

“That was my oppinion at first, yet I 
thought there might be something of it. I 
told him it was a jealous scheme of his own,” 
said Kate. 

“ You are right,” said Henry; “ I will fully 
satisfy you that I am all right.” 

Henry talked to Kate that evening until 10 
o’clock and the next morning he was up 
bright and early, for he did not rest well. 
He laid the case before uncle Henry and Ella 
and asked their advise about it. Uncle Henry 
was much excited over it and ordered the 
match pony’s attached to the spring wagon, 
for he intended to bring the rascal to justice. 
He ordered Henry and Ella to get themselves 
ready, and they all got in the wagon and 
went a past for Kate and then drove over to 
Lincoln, obtained the proper officer and 
rounded in at Krings. 


186 LUCK IN DISGUISE. 

This was indeed a great surprise to Henry 
Kring, when the wagon drove up. He looked 
savagely at Kate Yorkley, as if to say, “ you 
will repent of this young lady,” yet he said 
nothing as he was badly excited. 

“Mr. Henry Kring I suppose?” said the 
officer of the law. 

“ Y-e-s s-i-r,” was the stammering reply 

“Well, sir,” said the officer, “you are 
wanted in court immediately, to answer to a 
charge of libel, in which Mr. Henry Means is 
the prosecutor. I hold in my hand a warren t 
authorizing me to take you, and only hope 
you will go willingly without any restraint 
to the law. It is a painful duty to me, for 
to make an arrest^ but I must do my duty. 

“ There now,” said the officer, taking hold 
of him savagely, “ get in this wagon.” 

Trembling from head to foot, he obeyed 
the officer, and was taken to Lincoln for trial. 
In the meantime, however, uncle Henry and 
Henry had arranged and sent an explanatory 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


187 


telegram to Henry’s father, at Chicago, Ill’s., 
and he hastened to obtain the desired infor- 
mation. Sworn testimonials were soon re- 
turned by wire, from live officers of the law, 
who exonerated Henry saying: — ‘^Nothing 
of a criminal or any other nature can be 
found on record aganst Henry Means. We 
pronounce the charge against him, without 
foundation and false.” When these testi- 
monials were read in court, in Henry Kring’s 
hearing, he looked as if he would sink 
through the floor. Poor boy, his cake was 
dough. After all the witnesses were exam- 
ined, the Judge pronounced him a libeler 
and he was then asked to sign some libel 
sheets and the costs of the prosecution. He 
was glad to get off so easily as that and per- 
formed the task without coaxing or driving. 
He remained arround Lincoln about two 
days when he disappeared and never again 
returned. Some said he went West, some 
South, and others were of the opinion he 


188 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


went to Canada, but Henry and Kate didn’t 
care where lie went since he had caused them 
so much trouble. Henry went home with 
Kate again, that evening, and remained until 
a very late hour. Kate never again believed 
any hurtful report against Henry’s charactor 
and allowed Henry to kiss whenever he felt 
like it. The two lovers were more than ever 
attached to each other. Henry made regular 
trips twice a week, to see Kate, and they 
never had another occasion to think hard of 
each other. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


189 


CHAPTER Xiy. 

Mr. Yorkley and uncle Henry were among 
the early settlers of that portion of Nebraska. 
Although the country was wild and perilous 
to those settling there, it proved the inchoa- 
tion of immense affluency to those possessing 
the audacity to withstand the hourly jeopardy 
of their lives, by the savages and wild beasts 
of prey. The panther, the wolf, the wild- 
cat, etc., were numerous and would frequently 
make sad havoc in a poorly protected sheep- 
cot, or even in the midst of large herds of 
cattle, and human beings were occasionally 
forced to flee for protection if not sufflciently 
equipped with protective weapons, for a 
threatening encounter. The Indians would 
threaten the distraction of their prosperity 
by conflagration, and even attempts were 
made to massacre the inhabitants. In the 


190 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


midst of all these perilous aspects they con- 
tinually increased in purse, all the time an- 
nexing more and more government lands to 
their vast estates, until they became im- 
mensely wealthy. Uncle Henry invested 
money in large tracts of land, in J ohnson and 
Harland counties, as did also Mr. Yorkley. 
The lands were obtained by them, for very 
small sums of from $1.25, $2.00 and $3.00 per 
acre, and is now worth from $20. to $40. per 
acre, according to location and improvements. 
These pioneers, thirty in number, completely 
organized their colony by adopting certain 
rules as a bullwark against the ravages of 
wild beasts, and the intrusion of the savages 
that infested the country. On their arrival 
in that country, they home-steaded the 
amount of land allowable by the government, 
and purchased several hundred acres more 
of gov^ernment Agents. From the timbered 
portions they obtained material for the erec- 
tion of kraals for protection. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


191 


They satisfied themselves with one small 
room and usually a porch, with the hope of 
better days to come, when they could exhibit 
more style in the erection of more costly 
residences. The colony consolidated their 
strength and efforts in the erection of their 
houses, that their union might enable them 
to resist any attack by their foes. Under- 
neath their kraals were cells, or “ dugouts,” 
as they are called by frontier emigrants. 

Where rock was obtainable, these cells 
were completely walled and arched; their 
interior is substantially braced by heavy 
timbers, that, should there chance to come 
an unusual weight upon the arch, the timbers 
would prevent any danger of its caving in 
upon them. In this “ dugout ” is kept their 
valuables and provisions and in times of 
danger it serves as a place of retreat for safety. 
Fire could not harm them, while in the cell, 
should the redman of the prairie burn their 
houses, as it is made fire proof. Qne day 


192 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


after dinner, Mr. Yorkley and uncle Henry 
went to town shopping, a distance of about 
four miles, and were rather late returning. 
After they had road a mile from town, on 
their return homeward, they were startled by 
unusual sounds, which at first resembled in 
tone, that of small children in deep distress. 
They listened for some minutes and the 
pungent screams rang more and more hideous 
in their ears, indicating a drawing nearer to 
them. 

Finally they were persuaded by the dread- 
ful noise to push rapidly homeward. The 
moon shed forth her mellow, silver hue, 
beautifying all nature, and they could now 
see readily, objects afar off on the prairie, 
with nothing to obstruct their view and they 
resembled panthers adhering closely to their 
trails. They could not ascertain the nearness 
of their bloodthirsty pursuers, yet could see 
they were rapidly gaining on them. They 
applied the spurs freely to their horses and 


LUCK IN UIISGULSK. 


193 


greatly increased their velocity, holding their 
revolvers in one of their hands and with the 
other hand they guided their horses. On 
and on they went as rapidly as horse tlesh 
could take them. Their wives had become 
V. ry much excited, and even frantic, fearing 
some terrible evil had befallen them going to 
or coming from town. They listened eagerly 
for the sound of the ajiproach of their hus- 
bands. At last the welcome sound was 
heard; they came, but not in as quiet and 
peaceful spirits as was manifested when they 
started for town. They were filled with ex- 
citement and their horses were the worse for 
the race. The door of Uncle Henry’s house 
was opened wide, and the two men entered, 
taking their horses with them, and, scarcely 
had the door been shut, and made secure, 
than was heard the most teriffic screams in 
the dooryard, which was soon followed by an 
effort to gain admission by the moste terrible 

lunges against the door. In an effort to effect 
13 


194 


LUCK IX DISGUISE. 


an entrance through a window, a harvesting 
cradle was knocked down, which was instru- 
mental in shortening two or three of their 
lives by relieving them of their intestines. 
Mr. Yorkley shot and killed five of these 
ferocious animals through the porch window. 
Uncle Henry and Mr. Yorkley together have 
five dogs, two bulldogs and three blood- 
hounds. They were all exceedingly fierce 
and dangerous. The women were both at 
uncle Henry’s to share each others loneliness 
and they had concealed the dogs in this cell 
of which I have spoken of, that they might 
have them handy in case of an emergency. 
The two families lived almost in the same 
dooryard, in separate buildings, yet on uncle 
Henry’s land. One of the rules of the colony 
was — that in erecting their houses, two of 
them should be built in close proximity to 
each other, that assistance might be soon had 
in case of peril. On another occasion Mrs. 
Means barely escaped with her life. The Means 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


195 

and Yorkley families were in earnest conversa- 
tion, in uncle Henry’s house, plotting their 
future course of pursuits, and became so en- 
grossed in their subject, that their fire reduced 
to a bed of hot cinders. Mrs. Means seeing the 
condition of things and not wishing to con- 
fuse the men in their conversation by asking 
her husband to recruit the fire with more 
wood, threw a shawl about her shoulders, 
and made for the wood pile, some little dis- 
tance from the house, without any thought of 
approaching danger. No sooner had she 
arrived at the pile of wood, than she was 
startled by the most frightful screams of 
a panther near by and confronting her. 

The unwelcome visiter had come up be- 
tween her and the cabin, and she was evi- 
dently prevented from entering it. Fre- 
quent screams protruded from the panther, 
which were reverberated with increased 
horror from a distant hill side. Mrs. Mean’s 
intense terror came near a convulsive ten- 


196 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


dency. She ran to and fro endeavoring to 
quickly devise some means of escape, but 
with no avail. The animal kept up an occa- 
sional scream and exhibited signs of a vicious 
intent. It would tear up the ground with its 
claws, and pace backward and forward, work- 
ing its way nearer its victim, and seemed to 
be prepairing for the fatal leap. Mrs. Means 
made an appeal to the inmates of the house 
for assistance, who were upon the scene as 
soon as the first alarm was given. 

Nearer and nearer the ferocious animal 
came to the form it sought for prey, and 
uncle Henry and Mr. Yorkley were wild with 
excitement, for they could not determine 
what was best to do under the circumstances. 
They were both well armed, but the panther, 
a very large one, was between them and the 
one they sought to rescue, and they feared, 
should they attempt to shoot it with unsteady 
nerves they might miss their mark and slay 
the one so dear to them all. Finally it was 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


197 


decided to bring out the dogs, which was 
done. ISTo sooner had the dogs been brouglit 
forth than the mad animal gave a spring and 
fastened its great claws into Mrs. Mean’s 
shavd, and tore it from her shoulders, and 
she ran for the house leaving the animal at 
work on the shawl, as though it thought some 
one was in it. She being liberated and safe, 
uncle Henry and Mr. Yorldey administered 
several doses of cold lead which did not 
prove fatal, only disabled it from travelling. 
The dogs had been brought out, as before 
stated, yet, they were held in reserve until 
the proper time, which seemed to be now, for 
they went at the wounded animal with a vim 
and soon made quick work of him. 

The flesh on Mrs. Mean’s shoulders and 
neck was badly disflgured and bloody, but, 
on examination was found to be only super- 
ficial. Mrs. Mean’s did not get over her fright 
for several days. Troubles multiply on the 
frontier, they thought, when, some days after 


198 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


the panther skirmish, each member of the 
colony was visited by a Indian girl, advising 
them to flee foi* their lives, since the Chief, 
the great ruling power of the tribe, had issued 
a decree that on a certain day, they would go 
forth and exercise their innihilating powers, 
and the colony which now numbered thirty 
families, should be ruduced to naught, and 
the redman would occupy their homes, she 
said : ‘‘ whiteman, the edict will be enforced, 
whiteman go, or whiteman die.” The denizens 
but laughed her to scorn and told her they 
came to stay, and was willing to take the 
risk, and paid no attention to her remarks 
whatever, believing it a set up job to scare 
them off, but they were not made of that kind 
of material. They had too much faith in 
their dogs and guns for that. 

The Indian girl returned to the tribe again, 
where she had, no doubt, been commissioned 
to bear the intelligence throughout the colony, 
thinking to frighten them so badly that they 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


199 


would desert their claims, but such was not 
the case. They had too much at stake to leave 
and go elsewhere to begin life again. The 
colony composed of well armed, bold and 
stalwart men, and were, in numbers at least, 
about as strong as the tribe of Indians were, 
who threatened the distraction of their hap- 
piness and lives too. Notwithstanding they 
did not fear the approach of the savages as 
much as did they wild beasts of prey, but 
they kept continually on the lookout for 
them. 

The day for the proposed massacre of the 
whites came at last. “Well,” said uncle 
Henry, “are you all ready to cross deaths 
river to-day ? This is the time the Chief has 
set for our solemn departure ! How is it ? 
This is a beautiful day to quit time and em- 
brace eternity.” The day was clear and 
beautiful and the sun shone forth in all her 
radiant splendor. Horns had been provided 
previously, which were to be used as signals 


200 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


of distress, and they were all to answer said 
signals in person and well armed, and also to 
take their bull-dogs and blood-hounds with 
them, which were quite numerous in the 
colony. Every family had from two to three 
dogs and they were very fierce and malicious 
toward strangers. The dogs alone could 
make quick work of the savages, and a dainty 
meal for them would they be. The day 
passed quietly; evening came and no sound 
from a horn was heard all day. After sunset 
the Means and Yorley families met together, 
as was their usual custome. 

Listen,” said Mrs. Yorkley, what’s that 
mean? Why, the rustling of the grass and 
bushes at the foot of the western hill, this 
calm and beautiful evening ? Blow the horn 
uncle Henry, for I fear it is the sneaking ap- 
proach of the savages.” 

Uncle Henry and Mr. Yorkley both blew 
their horns and then discharged two success- 
ful volleys from their breech loaders, in the 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


201 


direction of tlie noise. At the same time, 
almost, the signals of distress were heard from 
the horns in different partes of the colony. 
As soon as the volleys Avere discharged, the 
Indians arose to their feet and thriUed the 
air with their war-whoops and started for the 
cabins on a double-quick, but were flustrated 
in their onward move, by the dogs, and 
brought to a halt. There were only five In- 
dians in the gang, two of which were shot 
and instantly killed by uncle Henry and Mr. 
Yorkley, while they were warding off the 
dogs, and the other three escaped with man- 
gled limbs. Three attacks were made, by the 
Indians, in different sections of the colony 
that night, but, with great loss of lives among 
the Indians, while the whites were unharmed. 
The suckcess of the whites were mainly due to 
their faithful dogs. At another point two 
more of the redmen were instantly killed, by 
shooting, and another by the dogs. Three 
weeks from that day, the tribe pitched their 


202 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


tents farther west, which was a relief to the 
white settlers. Year after year passed away 
with an occasional addition to their number 
by emigrants, and but few births. In six 
years, only three births were known to the 
colony. After the lapse of six years, a bright 
little boy came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Yorkley, whome they called James, and in the 
same year, a new comer was attracting atten- 
tion of uncle Henry, and they named the little 
stranger John, in honor of uncle Henry’s twin 
brother. Three years later Miss Kate York- 
ley first became a resident of the Yorkley 
cabin. She was their last child and only 
daughter they ever had to heir their vast 
wealth, but, uncle Henry’s family was in- 
creased to four children, John, Emma, Ella 
and Charlie. 

Header! is not the foregoing sufficient to 
cement a true brotherly love with these two 
families ? We dare say they were. The 
glaring endurance of years with the wild 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


203 


f 

i 

> 


beasts and tlie redman endeared them to each 
o tiler, and they ever lived as though they 
were very near relatives. As time rolled on, 
they expanded their improvements and eradi- 
cated the colluvius matter and beautified their 
surroundings with numerous improvements. 
As soon as they deemed it safe to do so, they 
secured large sums of money they had on de- 
posit in an Eastern bank, and proceeded to 
the erection of elegant two-story mansions, 
each on their own land. Prior to this, Mr. 
Yorkley had been occupying his cabin on 
uncle Henry’s land, in obedience to the rules 
adopted by the colony, when first settling 
there. Uncle Henry and Mr. Yorkley now 
owned each, one thousand acres near Lincoln, 
Neb., where they now live, and, as I have 
said before, they hold good titles to large 
tracts of land in Johnson and Harland Coun- 
ties also. Kate Yorkley and Ella Means 
grew up fast friends, and were called the 
“beautiful liells of the West.” They had 


204 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


numerous oijportunities to marry, but re- 
jected them all. Kate affirms that she never 
loved any man until Ella’s cousin Henry 
came into the neighborhood. Henry and 
Kate are wonderfully devoted to each other. 
Kate now sports an elegant gold ring, given 
her by Henry, and he frankly informs ns, one 
-and all, that on the 29th of December, which 
is his birthday, he contemplates taking the 
ring and its possessor back again, for safe 
keeping. Henry has made some extravigant 
improvements on his farm, and shall continue 
to improve until his premises shall compare 
favorably with that of his neighbors. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


205 


CHAPTER XY. 

Henry began work for his uncle Henry 
again, April 1st, at $25. per month, and uncle 
Henry was delighted with the interest he 
manifested in his work, notwithstanding the 
work was all new to him, so far as the appli- 
cation of his physical organism is concerned. 

He was very well advised theoretically, and 
his thorough book knowledge enabled him 
to make a quick practical application of this 
knowledge. He soon found that a theoretical 
exercise of knowledge was not half so irk- 
some to perform as that of a practical, yet 
he wearied not, and delighted in the exercise 
of his great strength. As he went about his 
daily work he would reherse his botanical 
lessons, and make frequent test applica- 
tions, finding great delight. In the spring 
he very accurately noted with profound en- 


206 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


joyment, the viminal process of the botanical 
Avorld as the material changes were brought 
about by congenial agencies, as decreed and 
willed by the everlasting mind. So closely 
did he scrutinize the changes in the nature 
of trees and plants that he could begin with 
the germinating process, the expansion by 
rapid or retarded growth, the maturing of 
the foliage and the final conversion to soil. 
Henry’s mind was not too much occupied 
with Kate Yorkley and his country home to 
cause him to neglect his father’s family at 
Chicago; no, he received and sent letters 
weekly. 

One morning uncle Henry told Henry he 
desired giving him some advise and hoped he 
would take it kindly, which Henry very 
kindly assented to, and the following con- 
versation resulted : 

“ Well, Henry,” said uncle Henry, ‘‘ I am 
truly glad you have made your courtship a 
success thus far, and, am also glad that in 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


207 


your case I am the affiancer, I am also glad 
for you that she accepted your proposition 
with such alacrity, without the unnecessary 
arguments on your behalf in order to per- 
suade her to pronounce the decisive word 
“Yes,” which is the all essential in such 
cases. I hope your affections are genuine, 
and that they may not lesson, but increase 
throughout life, which is but a very brief 
probation at most and should be well im- 
proved by us all. What I desire to say, 
most of all, by way of advising you is this ; I 
am so glad you are so proud of your farm and 
manifest such pride and good taste in im- 
proving it, but I am very greatly displeased 
with your Sunday work, and hope you will 
desist its future continuance.” 

“ Work! what Sunday work, uncle ? ” said 
Henry. “ I don’t work at any kind of manual 
labor on the Sabbath dav. What can you 
mean ? ” 


208 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


‘‘ You perform mental labor, that is just as 
bad, I think,” said uncle Henry. 

“ Oh ! I suppose you don’t believe in Sun- 
day courting. If it displeases you, uncle, T 
shall quit it at once,” said Henry. 

‘‘ My remarks had no reference to court- 
ship, whatever,” replied uncle Henry. 

“ What then, pray tell,” inquired Henry, 
“ I know of nothing else whereby my mental 
powers are employed on the Sabbath day, 
only by reading the bible or studying the Sun- 
day School lesson, and you can’t mean that. 
Please explain yourself, uncle ? 

“ While I have no objection to courting on 
that day, I am not so sure,” said uncle Henry, 
“ that one is doing altogether right to Avhile 
away the hours in courtship that should be 
spent sacred, but then I only give this as an 
oj)inion, not knowing whether it is right or 
wrong. But, you should not spend youi* 
time on your farm, on the Sabbath day, giv- 
ing orders to your tenant and plotting and 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


209 


planning his work for the week. If you will 
promise me to desist all this, you can have 
Saturdays free to attend to all such work as 
that.” 

“I had never thought how it looked be- 
fore,” said Henry, to spend the Sabbath in 
that way. I did it uncle, not to violate the 
sacred day, but because all my other time 
was occupied in my work for you. It is in- 
deed liberal in you to pay me such an ex- 
travagant salary, and then give me Saturdays 
besides.” 

Henry’s fields are now waving i-n abund- 
ance of ripening grain, and, for him to work 
all week for uncle Henry, and be deprived of 
viewing his own beautiful crops during the 
week and on Sabbath too, was too much for 
him to bear. Henry will commence to teach 
school, in Lincoln, Nebraska, on the first 
Monday in September, which will be in about 
two weeks, for which he will be compensated 

about $35 per month. Henry has never in- 
14 


210 


LTTCK IN DISGUISE. 


formed his father’s family, nor allowed any 
one else too, either, of his most wonderful 
success in his AVestern home, believing if 
1 Hey were cognizant of the facts, they would 
1 ititerly oppose him and affirm that he was 
t DO young to marry, and have him go home 
again, which he has no notion of doing — he 
is too well pleased. 

Henry still has $150, given him by his 
father before going West, and on the first 
Monday in September $225, will be due him 
for labor, from uncle Henry, and, he is just 
in receipt of a registered letter from his pa 
which contained $200 more, which his pa in- 
tended to be used in the purchase of Winter 
clothing, paying board and incidental ex- 
pences, not knowing that Henry had been 
jiaying his way in work. 

We should have noted the fact elsewhere, 
that Henry removed his sheep and calves to 
his own land as soon as there was good graz- 
ing in the spring. Uncle Henry gave him a 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


211 


splendid fresh young cow, and sold another, 
with her first calf, for $35. He was the haj)- 
piest man in the great state of Nebraska. Is 
it any wonder. Reader, that he indulged in 
the mental Sunday labor uncle Henry forbid 
him doing ? 

His school days came at last, and he entered 
upon his task as teacher, and each day he 
added laurels to his fame, and his wonderful 
ability astounded the people. Henry was a 
profound thinker and a logical reasoner and 
an eloquent orator, for one so young as he 
and, indeed he could discount many older 
heads, with the preponderance of practice in 
their favor. His scholars learned to lov« 
and respect him as they became better ac- 
quainted with him. The ^Datrons all said 
they never had such an accomplished teacher 
to their knowledge, since their sojourn in the 
AVest. As Christmas times drew near they 
began to agitate the propriety of having a 
Christmas-tree and Henry repetedly dis- 


212 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


conraged them in this olden time custom, 
at the same time disclosing new ideas to them. 
Henry believed in progress and originality 
believing something rare or entirely new has 
a better tendency to entertain and many times 
instruct the young. Henry’s pupils are 
sanguine in the belief that he can be per- 
suaded to have a Christmas-tree, they having 
no higher ambition to gratify a sense of 
pleasure than that. They preferred rather 
to adhere to methods long since lost attrac- 
tiveness, to having ceased to be a novelty, 
but they have been thus educated by teachers 
of dormant energies and hence, they know of 
nothing better, and in a lethargical spirit 
devoid of the slightest hopes of enterprise, 
they contend for the tree, yet, to no avail, 
as Henry is immovable and determined. 

‘‘ You had better have a ‘ Christmas-Bell,’ 
or ‘ Cross,’ or ‘ Table,’ or ‘ Ladder,’ or ‘ Bow,’ 
or ‘ Tub,’ or ‘ Swix-swox,’ ” said Henry, “ than 
to have a ‘Tree,’ for many reasons. One 


LUCK Iisr DISGUISE. 


213 


reason is — a tree is so dirty and requires too 
much after-work, and another reason is — it 
is too ancient, and something more modern 
will show a spirit of enterprise and entertain 
more perfectly. I would propose something 
entirely new in this section — it is a ‘ Swix- 
swox.’ ” 

They had never heard of the like before, 
and Henry poposed to learn them. They met 
regularly and Henry learned them to sing 
many beautiful Christmas songs, and, also, 
some appropriate recitations, essays, orations, 
etc., were prepaired for the ‘ swix-swox.’ 

“ The term ‘ swix-swox,’ ” said Henry, “ is 
applied to any kind of entertainment where 
it has a tendency to instruct, amuse or enter- 
tain. The term embraces both pleasure and 
pmfit. A Christmas-tree was once a ‘ swix- 
swox ’ yet like a tattered garment it has seen 
its day and lost its swix-swoxical effect, and 
should be laid on the shelf to rest.” 

Now, the question that agitated their minds 


214 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


most was — “ wliat should they adopt to com- 
X)lete their ‘ swix-swox ? ” Henry’s great 
mind studied out a plan something like this 
— he and the pupils procured some very line 
wire, on which the presents were suspended 
in mid air, in the room, and no one could 
detect the wire, as it was so line. The pres- 
ents were so tastefully arranged on the wire 
that all present admired the excellent taste. 
We will not attempt a description as to how 
the swix’-swox was arranged, it would con- 
sume too much time and occupy too much 
space. SulRce it, we will say — the house was 
crowded to the exhaustion of its entire space, 
with human beings, eager to hear the pro- 
gramme rendered and witness the beautiful 
sights. 

While Henry was preparing for the swix- 
swox, he was also getting ready for an occa- 
sion of more importance to him, it was his 
matrimonial feast. His wedding day op- 
proximates rapidly, and preparations for a 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


215 


grand affair are being made, not only at the 
Yorkley mansion, but at uncle Henry’s also. 
After the rendering of the swix-swox in all 
its grandeur, Henry adjourned his school for 
a vacation, and repaired to his uncle Henry’s 
to spend a vacation of two weeks, and to pre- 
pare for the nuptial feast, which was so near 
at hand. Elegantly printed invitation cards 
were sent to all in the neighborhood, an- 
nouncing the proposed union of Henry Means 
to Miss Kate Yorkley, the bell of the West, 
on the 29th of December. 

Henry was but a boy in years, yet he re- 
sembled a man in size and, as we sometimes 
hear the expression — “ his head is fifteen or 
twenty years the senior of his body.” Henry 
will be 19 years old on his wedding day and 
Miss Kate Yorkley six months his senior. 
Henry is beginning to realize that he is near- 
ing the contour of single life, and that he 
will very soon be a happy benedict. He was 
greatly vivified in mind over the affair and 


216 


LUCK IK DISGUISE. 


worked energetically to make the occasion 
one of grandeur. Henry possesses an inher- 
ent volition that means nothing short of 
success, and he is not selfish in his disposi- 
tion, but is very liberal hearted and has ex- 
pansive views, just the kind to make the fair 
sex happy and contented with their lot. 

Henry now spends his evenings with his 
intended bride, talking over, and arranging 
for the great occasion. 

The next day after Henry arrived at uncle 
Henry’s, to spend his vacation and prepair 
for his union with Miss Kate Yorkley, a 
vehicle drove up to uncle Henry’s ladened 
with human freight and, much to Henry’s 
surprise, it contained his sister Estella and 
two brothers Joe and Stanley. Judging from 
the amount of baggage that accompanied 
them, they were expecting a protracted 
visit. It is useless for me to add that Henry 
was overjoyed at seeing and conversing with 
them. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


217 


“ What brought you here,” said Henry. 

“ Why, what do you suppose; did you not 
see the vehicle from which we alighted, a few 
moments ago ? Why do you ask such a 
question ? ” said Estella laughing and, at the 
same time, squinting her eyes at Ella. 

“Oh,” said Henry “I thought you had 
some motive in view. We are all invited 
j out, to spend the day at Mr. Yorkleys on the 
i 29,” said Henry. 

“Yes,” said Joe, “we will all be there. 
Have they a gal for me too, Henry ? ” 

“What in the duce do you mean, any 
way ? Ella, I fear you are not true.” 

“ Ella is all right,” said Estella, “ I tell you 
she is the ‘ boss ’ girl. Don’t you think we 
enjoy news as well as you do, Henry ? If 
you don’t want any of our company we will 
return home again.” 

“ Oh, I am more than glad you have come. 
I What has pa. and ma. to say about me ? ” 

“ Oh, they are more then pleased with your 


218 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


Luck in Disguise and would like to have 
come,” said Estella. 

“ I am the one to blame for this,” said Ella, 
“ I thought it wrong to keep it from them. 
I could have told you Henry, a week or two 
ago, but preferred to surprise you.” 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


219 


CHA.PTER XYI 

The great day came at last, the day for the 
nuptial feast, and a large concourse of happy 
souls thronged the Yorkley mansion, which 
was in most excellent order, and carefully 
arranged for the reception of the large list 
of invited guests, who were eagerly watching 
and waiting to catch a glimpse of the bride 
and groom, or, in other words, they were 
anxious to see the ‘‘knot tied.” Ella and 
cousins, — Estella, Joe and Stanley were upon 
the scene at a very early hour. They were 
informed, by Ella through the mail some 
time ago, relative to the immence fortune 
Henry was about to possess in his union with 
Miss Kate Yorkley, and they were eager to 
see and learn all they could. They thought, 
to go early they would have a chance to see 
more and get acquainted with their new 
sister, so soon to be, before the tumultuous 
throng of witnesses arrived. They were com- 


220 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


pletely captivated with the picturesque 
scenery at the Yorkley palace and were 
pleasurably disappointed. They imagined 
that Ella exaggerated a little in her detailed 
discription of Mr. Yorkley ’s situation and 
financial ability, and now they believed all 
she had told them and declared she had not 
told them half. The house, inside and out, 
was as clean as could be made, and all arround 
the premises presented a like appearance. 
Estella and her brothers were introduced to 
Kate while her name was yet Yorkley, and 
they declared, they never met anyone before, 
so sweet and womanly as she, her disposition 
was so modest, her voice so full of music 
and she bears acquaintance so easily, that, 
ere many words are exchanged, one almost 
thinks they have always known her. “ Is it 
any wonder, Ella,” said Estella, “ that Henry 
ever loved Kate ? I think she is a perfect 
angel. I would be surprised at any man not 
loveing one so perfect as she is.” 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


221 


“ She is called the Bell of Lincoln,” said 
Ella, “ and I think she merits all the good 
things they may say of her. She is beauti- 
ful, lovely and sweet.” 

I am surprised at the young men for let- 
ting her live single so long,” said Estella. 

“I expect she has had fifty chances to 
marry, but none suited until now,” said Ella. 

“ Henry should feel highly complemented 
then,” returned Estella. * 

The house and yard were now filled with 
eager guests awaiting the consumation of 
Henry and Kate’s single life, by the adminis- 
tration of the solemn obligations, by uncle 
Henry 

At 10 o’clock a. m. the lovely couple came 
in from an adjoining rooom, which was held 
in reserve for them to arrange for the solemn 
event. Uncle Henry first invoked a special 
benediction on the two, so soon to be made 
one by their solemn vows, and the hearts of 
the great crowd scarcely pulsated, and the 


222 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


zephyrs seemed to soften to a breathless 
silence, as uncle Henry performed the cere- 
mony with a voice so full of love. 

The ceremony was long, solemn and very 
impressive and the spectators seemed im- 
pressed with the thought — there is a solemn- 
ity in matrimony, though the period of be- 
trothment may be one of jollity. 

The bride was arranged in splendor. Her 
dress was cream colored silk and richly 
trimmed. On the hands were gloves to match 
her dress and a chaplet of artificial flowers 
adorned her head and a bunch of similar hue 
at her throat. Her feefc were clothed in an 
elegant pair of white satin slippers, of the 
latest cut. A rich veil fell gracefully from 
her head over her person and resting on 
her elegant long train on the floor. Henry 
wore an elegantly fitting suit of black, and 
sported a charming necktie, made by the 
bride’s own handy fingers and out of some of 
the same material, of which her wedding 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


223 


dress was made. They were both handsome 
in the extreme^ and well matched. The con- 
gratulations were tiresome. At twelve o’clock 
sharp, dinner was anounced. Our limited 
space will not admit of a detailed descrip- 
tion of this sumptuous feast. The bride and 
groom were first seated at the table, when 
others were invited in, until the room was 
exhausted and, after uncle Henry had said 
grace, they all did ample justice to the oc- 
casion. 

We neglected to state that the bride and 
groom found some valuable presents, in en- 
velops, underneath their plates, which, upon 
investigation proved to be as follows: to the 
bride was given, by her father $1500, in one 
hundred dollar bills and government bonds 
equivalent to $2000. To Henry was given a 
warranty deed for his one hundred and fifty 
acres of land, purchased of his uncle over one 
year ago. This was indeed a surprise to 
Henry, as he had bargained fairly with his 


224 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


uncle for the land and had no other thought 
but that he would have it to pay for. 

There were four tables and between thirty- 
five and fifty at each table, and they had 
plenty and to spare. Everyone seemed to 
enjoy the occasion grandly. 

The invitations were not confined to the 
opulent of society as one would naturally 
suppose under such circustances, but the in- 
opulent were equally welcomed and the 
hospitalities as freely bestowed on one as the 
other. The next day was Henry’s day and 
a cordial invitation was publicly given by 
uncle Henry for all to come and dine with 
him. Notwithstanding the day was cool and 
frosty, yet the sun shown out brightly and 
the vast multitude assembled to pay their 
homage to the honored benedict and lovely 
bride. A brass band came out from Lincoln 
according to previous arrangements, and 
discoursed some excellent music. 

The crowd began to come at an early hour. 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


225 


in the morning and remained until late in the 
afternoon. 

After the crowd had dispersed and they 
^vere left alone, Henry proposed making an 
investigation relative to the valuable presents 
of the day before, and said: — 

“Uncle Henry, what does this document 
mean which I received yesterday ? ” 

Uncle Henry laughed and replied: — “It 
means just what it says. The land is yours. 
It does not affront you, does it Henry ? ” 

“ Not at all,” said Henry, “ but then I feel 
that it is very ungenerous in me to be con- 
tinually receiving of you without the min- 
utest compensation on my part. It is about 
time I was doing something for you.” 

“I hope to be liberally rewarded in the 
“Great Beyond,” said uncle Henry; “I feel 
it my duty and, thank heaven, I esteem it a 
privilege to help those that are struggling to 

help themselves. I admire this go-a-head-a- 
15 


226 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


tiveness in you, Henry, and must and will do 
what I can to encourage yon.” 

“But then you have children to whome your 
estate should be bequeathed, and they are 
legal heirs, and I am not,” rejoined Henry. 

“ Tut, tut ! ” said uncle Henry. “ Take it 
and make good use of it. The children and 
your aunt are exceedingly anxious for me to 
give you one hundred and fifty acres of land, 
and do you suppose I will miss it ? not 
much, as I have over one thousand acres in 
the state of Nebraska and I secured it at my 
own price and scarcely realized the purchas- 
ing expence. You are my namesake, why 
not give to you. Just look at my mammoth 
estate. I have enough land left to make each 
of my children in most excellent circum- 
stances, to say nothing of the several thou- 
sands of dollars at interest, which would keep 
several such families as mine. I gave you 
the sheep and calves in the first place to in- 
duce you to remain West and to keep your 


LUCK II^ DISGUISE. 


227 


mind employed, that you might not become 
homesick. I tell you, Henry, you will always 
find me ready to help those who try to help 
themselves.” 

This last explination satisfied Henry’s 
mind, and thanking his uncle repetedly for 
so precious a gift, the subject was dropped. 

Henry rented a house in Lincoln and uncle 
Henry and Mr. Yorkley furnished it in fine 
taste, preparatory to Henry resuming his 
school duties. He began his school with 
renewed energies, magnanimously exibiting a 
truly happy life. He has the will and it is 
invaribly backed with energy and grit. 
While he was receiving his $35. per month 
for his services in the school room, Kate was 
also busy giving music lessons on the organ 
and piano, for which she realized a nice sum 
of money. 

Henry’s tenant succeeded in raising for 
him, a large crop of corn, wheat, oats, flax, 
etc., last season, and garnered it in good 


228 


LUCK m DISGUISE. 


' order. On tlie 22 of March Henry bought 
him a wagon and good team of horses and 
moved on his farm to try his luck. He was 
in the hight of his glory and could not be 
persuaded to remain indoors but a short time 
during the day time. Every thing moved 
on harmoniously and in good style. He 
labored hard and when the time came for 
the gathering of his grain, he was elated at 
the astounding results of his labor. His large 
herd of cattle and sheep had become so enor- 
mous that his grazing room was exausted, as 
his farm was too small for cropping and stock 
raising too. Mr. Yorkley seeing the state of 
affairs he presented Henry with a deed for 
one hundred acres more land adjoining his. 
They can now live in royal style and they 
lacked for nothing to make them comfortable 
and happy, and with nothing to disturb their 
quiet and peace, until within a very few 
weeks of their first anniversary, when two 
new names were recorded on their family 


LUCK IN DISGUISE. 


229 


record, and they called the little newcomers * 
names Stanley, for Henry’s brother, and the 
other — Manley, for a friend of Henry. Henry 
was the happiest man in Nebraska, and they 
were both very prond of their two little pets. 

Estella, Stanley and Joe, after remaining in 
Nebraska one month, returned to Chicago 
again, and had many wonderful thing to dis- 
close to their parents reguarding Henry and 
his lovely bride, and Mrs. Means declaired 
their record was Luck in Disguise. 




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The treatment of many thousands of 
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